Goddard Institute for Space Studies
The NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies ( GISS ) at Columbia University in New York City , is part of the Department of Earth sun-watching at Goddard Space Flight Center and the Earth Institute . The GISS particularly focuses on research on global warming .
The institute was founded by Robert Jastrow and started work in May 1961. Initially, it was limited to space exploration to support the Goddard programs. At that time it was still called Goddard Space Flight Center Institute for Space Studies .
The GISS was headed by James E. Hansen until the end of 2013 . Well-known employees are Drew Shindell and Gavin Schmidt , who was appointed third director of the institute in June 2014.
Research on climate change
One of GISS's contributions to climate research is GISTEMP , a global temperature database that can be used to track the development of the world's climate.