The sun is a powerful object that not only brightens our days but also affects our lives in ways we don’t even consider. Its warmth heats air, causing the effects we know as seasons, storms, droughts, heat waves and cold spells. Without the sun, life wouldn’t be possible.

In order to better understand Earth and its weather, we compiled resources on climate, the greenhouse effect, temperature, weather, clouds, seasons and the sun. Know of a good resource we missed? Send out an email and let us know.

Climate

• Understanding Global Climate Change Science – explains what climate change is and how it affects weather.
• Global Warming Frequently Asked Questions — answers common questions regarding global warming.
• Paleomap Project — describes the history of climate change.

The Greenhouse Effect

• Earth’s Greenhouse Effect Sustains Life — useful basics on the greenhouse effect and greenhouse gases.

Temperature

• Temperature Is a mMeasurement of Motion of Molecules — explains the science behind temperature.
• Converting Between Fahrenheit and Celcius Temperatures Scales — instructions on how to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius.
• Overheated Equator Drives Weather — teaches how a warm equator affects the weather.

Weather

• Understanding Weather Radar – instructions on how to read a weather radar.
• Weather Forecasting: Online Meteorology Guide — educational resource on understanding weather forecasts.
• Understanding Weather Technology — explains instruments that help predict weather.
• Air Masses Bring Variety of Weather – describes types of air masses and the weather they cause.
• Weather — NASA’s comprehensive resource on Earth’s weather.
• Weather — resource on what causes weather.
• Weather Map Symbols – shows weather map symbols and explains their meanings.
• Weather Encyclopedia — weather.com’s resource on everything weather.

Clouds

• Clouds: Atmospheric Decoration — explains different cloud types with photos and news
• Cloud Types — describes the different types of clouds.

Seasons

• Earth’s Tilt Creates Seasons — describes why the Earth’s tilt, rather than distance from sun, creates seasons.
• The Distant Sun — describes the sun’s changing distance from Earth.
• The Seasons — explains warming and cooling of the seasons.

The Sun

• Complete Sun and Moon Data for One Day: U.S. Cities and Towns — enter location to receive rise and set times for the sun and moon.
• Rise, Set, and Twilight Definitions — defines terms associated with the sun and moon’s rising and setting.
• Why day is longer than night at the equinox — explains what the equinox is and why that means more sunshine.
• National Geographic – Sun — provides comprehensive facts, photos and news on the sun.
• The Sun — describes the sun’s structure.

The Ozone Layer

• The Ozone Layer — explains what the ozone layer is, describes its depletion, and provides research.
• What is the Ozone Layer – a brief and simple explanation of what the ozone layer is.
• Ozone: Good Up High Bad Nearby — discusses the ozone layer, ramifications of its effects and ways to protect yourself against its depletion.

Weather for the Kids

• Projects and Activities to Teach Weather – describes student projects on atmospheric science.
• The Weather Channel Kids — provides activities, games and information on weather geared towards kids.
• Tree House Weather Kids — activities, games and information about weather for kids.
• Bay Kids’ Weather Page — a weather resource written by kids for kids.
• The Weather Dude — weather basics and education.
• Weather Wiz Kids — weather resource for kids, parents and teachers by a meteorologist.
• Cloud Types — cloud information geared towards kids.
• EEK! A Hole in the Ozone Layer? — information on the ozone layer and it’s depletion for kids.