ICESat-2 Elevates Our View of Earth

The video discusses Earth's visible features like oceans and forests, and the challenges in measuring elevation globally. It introduces ISAT-2, a mission designed to measure changes in the cryosphere, particularly in polar regions where mass loss occurs. The mission uses the Atlas instrument, which sends laser pulses to measure surface height with high precision. NASA developed new methods to measure time accurately, crucial for determining elevation changes. The video highlights the amplified effects of climate change in polar regions and ISAT-2's role in understanding these changes.

What are some of the visual features of Earth mentioned in the video?

• Mountains and deserts

• Oceans, sea ice, and forests

• Cities and roads

• Rivers and lakes

What is the primary focus of the ICESat-2 mission?

• To study wildlife migration

• To map the ocean floor

• To measure changes in the cryosphere

• To explore outer space

Why is it important to measure the height of glaciers?

• To predict volcanic eruptions

• To improve air travel routes

• To find new mineral resources

• To estimate mass changes and understand glacier dynamics

What is the role of the ATLAS instrument on the ICESat-2 mission?

• To measure surface height using laser pulses

• To communicate with other satellites

• To send radio signals to Earth

• To capture images of Earth

How precise is the measurement of elevation changes by the ATLAS instrument?

• Within a few centimeters

• Within a few kilometers

• Within a few meters

• Within a few millimeters