Earth is a place dominated by water, mainly oceans. It’s also a place our researchers study to understand life. Trillions of gallons of water flow freely across the surface of our blue-green planet. Ocean’s vibrant ecosystems impact our lives in many ways.
In celebration of World Oceans Day, here are a few things you might not know about these complex waterways.
The way light is absorbed and scattered throughout the ocean determines which colors it takes on. Red, orange, yellow,and green light are absorbed quickly beneath the surface, leaving blue light to be scattered and reflected back. This causes us to see various blue and violet hues.
Follow the phytoplankton! These small plant-like organisms are the beginning of the food web for most of the ocean. As phytoplankton grow and multiply, they are eaten by zooplankton, small fish and other animals. Larger animals then eat the smaller ones. The fishing industry identifies good spots by using ocean color images to locate areas rich in phytoplankton. Phytoplankton, as revealed by ocean color, frequently show scientists where ocean currents provide nutrients for plant growth.
When we look at the ocean from space, we see many different shades of blue. Using instruments that are more sensitive than the human eye, we can measure carefully the fantastic array of colors of the ocean. Different colors may reveal the presence and amount of phytoplankton, sediments and dissolved organic matter.
About 70 percent of the planet is ocean, with an average depth of more than 12,400 feet. Given that light doesn’t penetrate much deeper than 330 feet below the water’s surface (in the clearest water), most of our planet is in a perpetual state of darkness. Although dark, this part of the ocean still supports many forms of life, some of which are fed by sinking phytoplankton.
Instruments on satellites in space, hundreds of kilometers above us, can measure many things about the sea: surface winds, sea surface temperature, water color, wave height, and height of the ocean surface.
The amount of salt varies depending on location. The Atlantic Ocean is saltier than the Pacific Ocean, for instance. Most of the salt in the ocean is the same kind of salt we put on our food: sodium chloride.
It will most likely have millions (yes, millions!) of bacteria and viruses, thousands of phytoplankton cells, and even some fish eggs, baby crabs, and small worms.
Just 3.5 percent of Earth’s water is fresh—that is, with few salts in it. You can find Earth’s freshwater in our lakes, rivers, and streams, but don’t forget groundwater and glaciers. Over 68 percent of Earth’s freshwater is locked up in ice and glaciers. And another 30 percent is in groundwater.
Just like forests are considered the “lungs of the earth”, phytoplankton is known for providing the same service in the ocean! They consume carbon dioxide, dissolved in the sunlit portion of the ocean, and produce about half of the world’s oxygen.
Want to learn more about how we study the ocean? Follow @NASAEarth on twitter.
Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com.
Very useful stuff! I'll definitely use it myself.
Hey folks, Paul here with another Tutor Tuesday PDF:
Feedback’s welcome as always, and Meg and I are thankful for your support!
I’m aiming to post another set each Tuesday for the next few months, so here’s a list of the PDFs so far (a collection of collections, if you will):
TutorTues_PDF_01_Fundamentals1.pdf
TutorTues_PDF_02_Fundamentals2.pdf
TutorTues_PDF_03_Environments.pdf
TutorTues_PDF_04_Scenery_and_Props.pdf
TutorTues_PDF_05_Positivity.pdf
TutorTues_PDF_06_Color_Theory.pdf
Thanks again!
Paul
(WARNING: Don’t try any of this on Earth—except the last one.)
Janssen aka 55 Cancri e
Hang your steak on a fishing pole and dangle your meat over the boiling pools of lava on this possible magma world. Try two to three minutes on each side to get an ashy feast of deliciousness.
Dimidium aka 51 Pegasi b
Set your grill to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit (982 degrees Celsius) or hop onto the first exoplanet discovered and get a perfect char on your hot dogs. By the time your dogs are done, it’ll be New Year’s Eve, because a year on this planet is only four days long.
HD 40307 g
Super air fry your duck on this Super Earth, as you skydive in the intense gravity of a planet twice as massive as Earth. Why are you air frying a duck? We don’t know. Why are you skydiving on an exoplanet? We’re not judging.
HAT-P-11b
I’ve got steaks, they’re multiplying/and I’m looooosing control. Cause the power this planet is supplying/is electrifying!
Sear your tuna to perfection in the lightning strikes that could flash across the stormy skies of this Neptune-like planet named HAT-P-11b.
Kepler-186f
Tired of all that meat? Try a multi-colored salad with the vibrant plants that could grow under the red sun of this Earth-sized planet. But it could also be a lifeless rock, so BYOB (bring your own barbecue).
Kepler-70b
Don’t take too long to prep your vegetables for the grill! The hottest planet on record will flash-incinerate your veggies in seconds!
WASP-12b
Picture this: You are pressure cooking your chicken on a hot gas giant in the shape of an egg. And you’re under pressure to cook fast, because this gas giant is being pulled apart by its nearby star.
Kepler-16b
Evenly cook your ribs in a dual convection oven under the dual stars of this “Tatooine.” Kick back and watch your two shadows grow in the fading light of a double sunset.
Venus
Order in for a staycation in our own solar system. The smell of rotten eggs rising from the clouds of sulfuric acid and choking carbon dioxide will put you off cooking, so get that meal to go.
Earth
Sometimes the best vacations are the ones you take at home. Flip your burgers on the only planet where you can breathe the atmosphere.
Grill us on Twitter and tell us how bad our jokes are.
Read the full version of this week’s ‘Solar System: 10 Things to Know’ Article HERE.
Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com.
Hey all, it's been a while! I've been riding the roller coaster of life while I've been away. It's hard to believe that school is almost over again. Time just flies when you're busy. 🔹 Here's a peek at what I've been working on; it's the first thumbnail for my comic script. I like how the pod looks like an egg just waiting to hatch, much like a story just waiting to begin... (foreshadowing!) 😊 I hope you enjoy~ 🔹 #art #artsy #DailyArt #ArtoftheDay #artwork #draw #sketch #sketchbook #doodle #traditionalart #traditionalartwork #pencildrawing #pencilsketch #pencil #wip #workinprogress #originalartwork #instaart #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #artistsontumblr #artistsontwitter #artist #illustrator #instaartist #CrystaltheCC
Here's a preview of the comic idea that I mentioned the other day! What you're seeing is the working title, a couple of the characters, and the tagline for the story. A tagline is really just a super short summary. 🔹 As I mentioned before, I've been working on writing out the summary and main plot points of the story for the past few months now. I'm aiming to be done with that by the end of next week so I can use it for my next project in my Storyboarding class, which involves creating a storyboard (and more) from an original story. I'm excited to be using my ideas for a class project; it's my favorite part of any of my art classes really. 🔹 This is all a work-in-progress right now, so I hope you guys enjoy what I have to share so far. 😊 🔹 #art #artsy #instaart #DailyArt #ArtoftheDay #artwork #originalart #originalartwork #originalcharacter #digitalart #digital #digitalpainting #creative #digitalartist #photoshop #illustrator #digitaldrawing #conceptart #characterdesign #comic #comicart #comicartist #comicbookart #comicbookartist #comicart #instaartist #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #artist #CrystaltheCC
(Nudity Warning. Just in case) Time is flying on by these days… Here’s some life drawing sketches I did for a Pencil Kings daily challenge last month. It was a nice exercise, though I’d like to brush up on my skills some more. Hope you enjoy~ 🔹 #art #arts #DailyArt #ArtoftheDay #artwork #draw #sketch #sketchbook #pencil #traditionalart #traditionalartwork #pencildrawing #pencilsketch #pencil #originalartwork #instaart #instadraw #figuredrawing #lifedrawing #sketching #drawings #creative #artistic #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #artist #illustrator #instaartist #CrystaltheCC
In case anybody's wondering what I've been up to this weekend, this is my view right now. This is my #life #unfiltered if you will. I've been doing homework and preparing my artwork to go up on my revamped website. You'll hear more about that when it's done. For now, consider this me poking my head in and saying "hey, I'm here. I'm just busy." and tired... Getting back to work now! ✌🏼 🔹 #lifeunfiltered #unfilteredlife #artlife #lifeofanartist #artist #collegestudent #collegestudentlife #digitalart #digital #painting #instaart #digitalpainting #digitaldrawing #creative #illustrator #graphic #photoshop #wacom #color #art #dailyart #artoftheday #paint #adobe #digitalartist #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #CrystaltheCC
Had a great time at Doodlefest last week! Here's some of the many photos I took, along with photos from last months because I forgot to post them sooner. 😅Hosted by @squeezeartlb at local restaurants and bars @weiland_br3 and @ballastpointbrewlb 😊 🔹⠀ #art #artsy #ArtoftheDay #sketch #doodle #doodlefest #doodles #doodlesofinstagram⠀ #sharpie #draw #sharpieart #instaart #instadraw #doodling #sketching #pen #creative #artistic #doodleart #marker #cartoon #color #drawings #abstract #artist #artists #instaartist #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram (at Weiland Brewery Restaurant)
It's high time I show you guys my progress over the past month. (I seriously can't believe it's been a month already since this started!) I love how it's turning out so far. I think this is becoming the most colorful page in my sketchbook. 😊 Still got a ways to go before it's done, but it's almost there! I hope you enjoy~⠀ 🔹⠀ #art #draw #sketch #instaart #ArtoftheDay #artsy #instaartist #sketchbook #DailyArt #zentangle #mandalaart #mandala #mandalas #zentangleart #zenart #zendala #mandalala #mandalalove #zentangles #stabilo #mandaladesign #zentanglemandalalove #mandaladrawing #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #artists #100ThemesChallenge #Crystal_100TC #Crystal_100challenge #CrystaltheCC
Happy belated Valentine's Day and happy Singles Awareness Day (which if you didn't know is Feb 15). Here's a throwback to some art I did in 2014 and 2013 for Valentine's Day. Regardless of whether you have a significant other or not, I hope you all have a wonderful day and know that you are loved by the one that matters. The one above. 😊☝🏼 🔹 #throwbackthursday #throwback #valentinesday #webstagram #valentine #tbt #tb #heart #hearts #red #art #arts #arty #artsy #instaart #DailyArt #ArtoftheDay #instaartist #artistsofinstagram #artistsoninstagram #artist #CrystaltheCC
I painted this pot today. I was trying to create a green gradient on it at first, but I kinda messed it up so I gave it a solid green coat instead. I’m hoping to finish touch ups and plant some Burro’s Tail in it soon, hopefully next weekend. 😊 I hope you enjoy~
Here's another animation (Plotagraph) that I made last semester using my self-portrait illustration. I encourage you to watch this one carefully; the movements are very subtle. Hope you enjoy~ 😊
Yesterday was my birthday and I wanted to draw something special. It's a redraw of something I drew a couple years ago. I raced the clock but couldn't get it done before midnight, so here it is today. Hope you enjoy! 😊
Last semester, I took a Digital Imaging class, which had me experiment with different ways of making moving pictures and art. One of those ways involved taking an artwork and making it into a Plotagraph. Here's the first one I made (I made 3 in total). Hope you enjoy. 😊⠀ 🔹⠀ By the way, if you want to Google what a Plotagraph is, go to Plotaverse.com. That's the new URL for the online resource.
Here's the next sketch for my 100 Themes Challenge. There was a character in the middle, but I think I'm going to draw that part digitally because all the lines were starting to get visually confusing for me.⠀ 🔹⠀ I've been wanting to put more patterns and Zentangle elements in my work. I'm hoping this turns out good. 😊
Sorry for the lack of art guys! Who knew that the beginning of the year would be so busy? 😩 I'm trying to get back into a groove of drawing everyday, starting with yesterday's Cognitive Drawing exercise: draw a flexing man from memory (no references). How do y'all think I did? 🔹 Honestly I feel like I'm looking at one of my high school drawings. Not that bad, but not that great either. Let's see how much I learn with the next exercises yeah? 😁
Theme 7 Memory is done! I'm so glad I finally finished this. In truth, I wanted it done last year, but I was busier (and then sick) than I expected. Oh well. Have a belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I hope yours is off to a great start. 😊
I'm back with my inked Theme 7! Sorry for the unexpected art hiatus. I was finishing up Finals and after that, all I felt like doing was relaxing for two days. 😅 Glad to be back at it though! This will be colored in soon. 😊
Theme 7 is Memory and the sketch is a redrawing of a redrawing. I guess you could say that it's also a memory of a memory. 😆⠀ 🔹⠀ I decided to revisit a drawing in my sketchbook that was done earlier this year. I redrew a drawing of mine for a class project (because I was fond of it) and looking back on it now, I wasn't happy with how the guy's face came out when I first drew it. So I redrew his face, added some more heartwarming elements, and next, I'm going to add more ink to make it pop. 😊🎄⠀
Completed Theme 6 yesterday! I've been busy with school as this semester is wrapping up. 🔹 I haven't drawn this character in a while so she got a bit of a makeover. I'm also experimenting with adding highlights, and using only alcohol-based markers. I like that they give my drawings a nice smooth look. 🙂 I hope you enjoy~
I took a photo of my art and played around with its colors on my phone. I thought it'd be cool to share. 😁 I'm still finishing up coloring the original, so stay tuned.
The inking is done! There's so many lines... 😳 I can't wait to finish it up with color! I hope you enjoy~
Sketch for Theme 6 is done! I'm feelin' pretty good about it. Hope you enjoy~ 😊
Finished up Theme 5! Again, I based it heavily on the previous drawing I did (now over 2 1/2 years ago! 😳 ). I was still aiming for a postcard-like look, but I wasn’t sure what to do with the border in the end. I’m pretty pleased with it overall though. And his smile is endearing as always. 😊 Hope you enjoy~
Finished up the inking yesterday. I experimented with adding hatching! This is something that I’ve been wanting to try, but I wasn’t sure about how it would turn out. I got out of my comfort zone and just did it anyway. Hope you like it!
Honestly, I didn’t think I’d struggle this much to keep up with the drawings…but I’m still going! Here’s the sketch for Theme 5: Welcome.
My artwork got accepted to the ARTX 2017 Holiday Salon! I’m excited! 😄 Opening night for the gallery is on Saturday, November 11th from 8-10pm. Hope to see you guys there!
Sneak peek on the layout of the next theme drawing I've been working on. I'm liking the second one so far.⠀ 🔷⠀ October 25th was International Artist Day and I didn't hear about it until it was too late to celebrate. 😩 I'm kind of disappointed that this event wasn't more widely celebrated as I would've thought. I wonder if any of you celebrated that day?
Theme 4 on Friendship is complete! 😊 I like how this piece has a subliminal yin-yang quality to it; it was unintentional, but it works. 🔹⠀ Feel free to interpret this piece however you like. I have no idea what these two friends were laughing about, but I’d love to hear your take on it. Also, I did color the sky a light blue, but I think it got washed out in this photo… That’s something I’ll keep in mind for next time. I hope you enjoy! There’s more coming~
I just heard of Cognitive Drawing recently and I was so intrigued by the idea that I had to try it for myself. I'm surprised how much I memorized about the eye in step 5! (bottom left) Definitely going to go through the rest of the book over the next 24 days. 😊 Credit goes to @jason_brubaker for the concept and book.