WEBVTT

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Intro music.

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How can you measure a cloud?

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NASA's Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite -- known as ICESat -- is doing just that, and more.

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From its perspective in space, ICESat measures Earth's dynamic features with unprecedented accuracy.

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These measurements are providing scientists with a new way of understanding our changing planet.

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ICESat's "laser radar" profiles the height distribution of clouds.

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These measurements have determined that Earth has a 70 percent cloud cover.

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This accurate information helps scientists make computer weather forecast models more accurate.

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Instruments onboard ICESat measure elevation, enabling scientists to monitor changes in the ice cover at the poles and glaciers around the world.

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These same measuring devices can also help monitor forests and measure mountains, valleys, rivers

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and lakes -- all from a 3-D perspective previously impossible.

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Arming scientists with this information can help manage the Earth's resources and improve the quality of life on our planet.

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