{"id":4780,"date":"2024-04-16T04:15:25","date_gmt":"2024-04-16T04:15:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aitesonics.com\/nasa-reveals-pollution-maps-gathered-by-the-tempo-space-instrument-190539536-2\/"},"modified":"2024-04-16T04:15:25","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T04:15:25","slug":"nasa-reveals-pollution-maps-gathered-by-the-tempo-space-instrument-190539536","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aitesonics.com\/nasa-reveals-pollution-maps-gathered-by-the-tempo-space-instrument-190539536\/","title":{"rendered":"NASA reveals pollution maps gathered by the TEMPO space instrument"},"content":{"rendered":"
NASA has published the first maps from its new space-based pollution instrument<\/a>, TEMPO (Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution). Although you won\u2019t be shocked to learn it reveals higher pollution rates in metropolitan areas, the tool can help scientists better study North American air quality on an hourly basis. \u201cNeighborhoods and communities across the country will benefit from TEMPO\u2019s game-changing data for decades to come,\u201d NASA Administrator Bill Nelson wrote in a press release today.<\/p>\n The instrument, which launched in April and orbits at 22,000 miles above the equator, can help scientists better study the health impacts of pollutants \u201cat the neighborhood scale.\u201d It can take hourly measurements, providing insights into the effects of rush-hour traffic, smoke and ash from forest fires and how fertilizer affects farm country. The tool measures sunlight bounced off the Earth\u2019s surface, atmosphere and clouds. \u201cGases in the atmosphere absorb the sunlight, and the resulting spectra are then used to determine the concentrations of several gases in the air, including nitrogen dioxide,\u201d NASA explained.<\/p>\n NASA says it will share its data with partner agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Since taking the first measurements earlier this month, teams have been busy checking and calibrating the satellite\u2019s systems ahead of regular hourly operations kicking off in October. NASA views the data as a boon in its quest to reach the Biden administration\u2019s climate goals<\/a>.<\/p>\n