The initial data maps from NASA's recent space launch have been unveiled, showcasing the instrument's effective transmission of vital details regarding significant air pollutants across North America.
(Photo : Kel Elkins, Trent Schindler, and Cindy Starr/NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio)
This pair of images shows nitrogen dioxide levels over the DC/Philadelphia/New York region at 12:14 and 4:24 p.m. on August 2, as measured by TEMPO.
Releasing First Data Maps
NASA's innovative mission to monitor air pollutants from space is yielding promising results as it unveils its first set of data maps, as reported by Interesting Engineering. This advancement signifies a significant leap towards achieving cleaner air quality for all inhabitants of the region.
Having been launched earlier this year via a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) is already providing essential insights into significant air pollutants present over North America.
The resolute dedication of President Biden and Vice President Harris towards enhancing air quality, a core facet of their agenda, closely aligns with the objectives of TEMPO. This space-based initiative strongly supports the administration's ambitious climate goals, further accentuating its pivotal role in driving sustainable progress.
TEMPO is a pioneering space device that constantly checks air quality across North America, floating at an elevation of 22,000 miles above the equator. The special thing about this device is its advanced tool, called a spectrometer. It can uncover pollutants that are normally hard to see because of sunlight.
Bringing Positive Changes to the Country
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson pointed out how TEMPO's important data can bring positive changes to neighborhoods and communities all over the country.
The TEMPO mission reaches beyond mere pollution tracking as its insights offer a significant boost to investigations into different sources of pollution, as reported by NASA. This encompasses pollutants from traffic, the spread of wildfire smoke and volcanic ash, and the impacts of fertilizer application in farming.
Additionally, the information collected by TEMPO will enable evaluations of health effects connected to pollutants. This will lead to the formation of precise air pollution maps, pinpointing variations in air quality within neighborhoods.
These maps will prove invaluable to scientists and policymakers, guiding them in designing effective strategies for specific community-level improvements.
Results, Future Prospects
TEMPO is just starting, but its first data maps show what it can do. They revealed where there's a lot of nitrogen dioxide gas, which indicates pollution, near cities and big roads in North America.
This looks at how sunlight interacts with the Earth's surface, clouds, and air. This helps it figure out how gases in the air affect sunlight. The special pictures it makes, called spectra, tell us how much of different gases like nitrogen dioxide are there.
According to Karen St. Germain, head of NASA's Earth Sciences Division, a broader audience, including community members and industry leaders, will have access to more detailed air quality data, covering both time and location. This initiative also aims to offer insights that can lead to effective solutions for tackling air pollution.
Related Article: NASA Launches TEMPO, High-Resolution Instrument that Observes Air Quality from Space
