Part A You’ll start by investigating how Earth’s surface temperature varies. Open My NASA Data, and click on Data Set in the top left corner of the page. Within the Atmosphere category, select All Data, then select Temperature. Now, select Monthly Air Surface Temperatures. After the new map appears on your screen, select the Animate option near the top of the page, and then select OK to see the animation. Set the time range on the animation for the most recent five years, and then click Submit. You can control the speed of the animation with the controls beneath the map.

Question 1

Describe patterns you observe in Earth’s surface temperature. How do these patterns change during the course of a year and from year to year? Use lines of latitude and degrees Celsius in your description.