systems such as the MODIS instrument. MODIS takes high temporal resolution images of the earth's surface with a pixel resolution of 1,000 meters square. We also took a look at temperature differences between different areas of the eastern US to compare the conditions associated with varying levels of increased heat. Each one of us measured the size of the heat island itself, the distribution of temperatures, and its relation to the layout of the city. Then we calculated the difference in temperatures between the heat island and the surrounding area. For example, I found a 3-degree difference between Syracuse, NY and its surrounding land.
Every city we studied had a detectable heat island covering it. The size and shape of an Urban Heat Island is based directly on the layout of the urban area it is attached to. A more forested area would tend to be cooler than a group of office buildings, for example. Variation based on climate was not expected because most of the cities were in similar climatic contexts. The Urban Heat Island is most directly connected to the physical layout of the landscape. The increase in temperature is due to the urban land cover affecting the landscape. Thus, the layout of the city and its land cover is the dominant driver of the heat island.
In the future, similar studies could be performed to find areas of interest on other planets-areas with a higher than normal temperature. This has already been done on the moon and on Mars, but it could be used further for finding a new cracks in Europa's icy crust or locating high intensity storms on Jupiter and Saturn. This could provide valuable scientific data, and expand our knowledge of our solar system further.
Oke, T.R. and J.A. Voogt. (2003) Thermal remote sensing of urban climates. Remote Sensing of Environment, 86, 370-384.
Stone, Jr., Brian. (2007) Short Communication: Urban and rural temperature trends in proximity to large US cities: 1951-2000. International Journal of Climatology, 27, 1801-1807.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Website. The Urban Heat Island. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/indicators/health-society/heat-deaths.html Last accessed June, 2015
I would like to acknowledge the organizers of the Summer Apprenticeship Program for creating the opportunity to participate in such an exciting program.