The information gleaned from TEMPO will be shared with partner agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Since its initial measurements earlier this month, the instrument’s systems have undergone rigorous checks and calibration in preparation for regular hourly operations, which are scheduled to commence in October.
The instrument’s debut images, released on August 2nd, captured the I-95 corridor in the Northeast, showcasing cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. The maps also depicted the southern region from central Texas to New Orleans and a section of the Southwest spanning from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. These visuals highlighted the prevalence of nitrogen dioxide density over urban centers and their suburban extensions.
As NASA detailed, the maps reveal dynamic patterns of nitrogen dioxide concentrations. In the mornings, high levels of nitrogen dioxide are evident over cities, dissipating as the day progresses. However, the evening marks the onset of the second rush hour, causing a resurgence in nitrogen dioxide levels over metropolitan areas.
