NASA needs your help to improve its space laser

NASA recently launched a new satellite with an ambitious goal: it will measure the height of every forest on the planet. It’s part of an effort to figure out how much carbon is locked up in trees across the Earth. But, NASA’s not totally sure how accurate their space-laser measurement system really is. So, we headed off into the woods to help them check their work.

[tadgohare]

High schoolers: when will I ever use this math in my life
Trigonometry: hold my beer

[Birdgeeks]

One small but important thing, taking multiple measurements doesn't increase the accuracy of your results it increases their reliability. It averages out any discrepancies in your measurements but it doesn't allow you to measure with a finer scale.

[confusedwhale]

How many think that the "Big Tree" just grew since the last time it was measured by the forestry people?

[leomathersss]

"NASA needs your help to improve its space laser"
You:

[VergeScience]

If you’re interested in doing these measurements yourself, you can download the GLOBE Observer app via the Apple or Google app stores. Tell us about your own data collection in the comments!

[blubberbean]

Me: I volunteer for NASA
Friend: so, what do you do?
Me: ...
Friend: ...
Me: I measure trees
Friend: godammit

[BradThePitts]

If you're an Engineer, you'll never get a date in a singles' bar unless you say you work for NASA. Now, it can be true!

[Brimannn]

A flatearther’s greatest fear is sphere itself.

[SanthoshKumar-cgmd]

Now even trees have privacy problems... Pinnacle of data era 😂

[infiniteaseem]

*They promised us sustainable residences in space* ... _Now they've got us measuring the heights of trees_ 😂
No seriously though go out and measure them trees it's really useful

[OwOsmosis]

I'm In High School and Like I 100% Got This.

[mpilosov]

I love this video. This is literally my subject area of research: incorporating disparate streams of uncertain data to improve the accuracy and precision of estimates for quantities we care about. Here, height. I love this. It's so excellent how y'all summarized this. It's okay if I feature this video in my blog, right?

[winstonsmith]

How did the app measure the height of the tree. Using trigonometree of course.

[davislinkaits]

Can I also help NASA if I'm from Europe?

[Krebzonide]

I did something like this in physics to find the height of a roller coaster. I had to use 2 separate angles since I can't stand directly beneath it, and I had to know how far each of my steps was.

[dougiegooner]

What a brilliant opportunity for any child or adult to contribute to the science that NASA do on a daily basis. The App is excellent! 👍💕

[EdmundWChan]

Come on people. There are only 24 downloads on the App store. Join in the fun and let's GO :)

[RafidW]

"NASA needs to know everything's height and it wants you to help"

[choo_choo_]

I'm more interested in the geographical height data tbh. Having super-accurate height maps and terrain data already in 3d could be pretty useful. I wonder if it's possible to check that stuff out or get access to it.

[AshneelChandra]

Informative and simple. Thanks for the great video!