Questacon reflects well on Canberra

22 May 2008

Questacon, Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre, this morning participated in a worldwide Albedo Experiment to measure the Earth’s reflectivity of the Sun’s light and heat energy.

“In this global experiment, science centres, museums and schools from 21 countries are participating in a cooperative educational program. The Albedo Experiment is a great way to help young people understand the science of climate change, and to make a collective contribution to research the effects,” said Professor Graham Durant, Questacon Director.

The polar ice caps play an important role in regulating the earth’s temperature by reflecting the Sun’s rays. This is known as the Albedo effect.

To understand this phenomenon, students, staff and visitors to Questacon created an area to mimic the ice caps, using 225 square metres of white material. This experiment occurred as two satellites, Landsat7 and The Terra satellite, travelled over Canberra. These NASA satellites photographed the Questacon “ice cap” created by the students. This data will be used by scientists to measure the change in reflectivity at the Questacon site, and at the other participating sites around the world.

The Albedo Experiment is a project developed in partnership with Project IGLO (International action on GLObal warming) and NASA. During the period of 15 – 24 May, science centres and museums in many countries around the world are taking part in this experiment.

Project IGLO is an international collaboration of science centres and museums for the purpose of raising awareness of climate change, its impacts and the steps individuals can take to help.

“As one of the world’s leading science centres, Questacon has played a coordinating role across the Asia-Pacific region in encouraging participation in Project IGLO events and activities,” said Professor Durant.