NASA has unveiled the initial maps generated by its groundbreaking space-based pollution instrument, TEMPO (Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution). These maps shed light on pollution distribution across North America, offering a valuable tool for scientists to comprehensively analyze air quality on an hourly basis. While the data confirms higher pollution rates in urban areas, the instrument’s capabilities extend to monitoring pollutants at a neighborhood level, providing crucial insights into health and environmental impacts.
Launched in April and stationed 22,000 miles above the equator, TEMPO enables in-depth study of the effects of pollutants, such as those emanating from rush-hour traffic, forest fires, and agricultural activities. The instrument employs hourly measurements, unveiling the intricate interplay of various pollutants and their impact on different regions. By analyzing sunlight reflected from the Earth’s surface, atmosphere, and clouds, TEMPO determines concentrations of gases, including nitrogen dioxide, a common indicator of pollution levels.
