Goddard Institute for Space Studies

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Goddard Institute for Space Studies

Abbreviation	GISS
Formation	1961
Type	Research institute
Headquarters	New York City, New York
Director	Gavin Schmidt
Parent organization	NASA

The Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) is a NASA research institute located at Columbia University in New York City. It was established in 1961 to conduct theoretical and experimental research in space science and climate science. The institute is part of the Earth Sciences Division of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

History

GISS was founded in 1961 by Robert Jastrow, who served as its first director. The institute was named after Robert H. Goddard, a pioneer in modern rocketry. Since its inception, GISS has been at the forefront of research in climate change, planetary atmospheres, and astrophysics.

Research Areas

GISS conducts research in several key areas:

• Climate modeling: Developing and refining models to predict future climate changes.
• Atmospheric science: Studying the composition and behavior of Earth's atmosphere.
• Planetary science: Investigating the atmospheres and climates of other planets.
• Astrophysics: Exploring the physical properties of celestial bodies and phenomena.

Climate Change Research

One of the primary focuses of GISS is the study of global warming and climate change. The institute has developed several influential climate models, including the GISS Model E, which is used to simulate and predict climate patterns. GISS researchers have contributed significantly to the understanding of anthropogenic climate change and its potential impacts on the planet.

Directors

The current director of GISS is Gavin Schmidt, who has held the position since 2014. Previous directors include:

• Robert Jastrow (1961–1981)
• James Hansen (1981–2013)

Location

GISS is located in New York City, on the campus of Columbia University. The institute collaborates closely with the university's Earth Institute and other academic departments.

Related Pages

• NASA
• Goddard Space Flight Center
• Climate change
• Global warming
• Climate modeling
• Planetary science
• Astrophysics

See Also

• Earth Sciences Division
• Columbia University
• Robert H. Goddard