2013 Observations

New Algorithm Vastly Improves Measurements of SO₂ Pollution from Space

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂), emitted from both man-made and volcanic activities, significantly impact air quality and climate. Advanced sensors including the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) have been employed to measure SO₂ pollution.

NASA Satellite Sees Increase of India's Sulfur Dioxide Emissions

The analysis of data captured by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) found that emissions of sulfur dioxide from Indian power plants have increased by more than 60 percent between 2005 and 2012

A Deep Ozone Hole in Spite of Low Chlorine: How Transport Affects Chemistry

MLS ClO in the 2011 Antarctic vortex was 20% lower than 2006, yet the 2011 ozone hole is very similar to the 2006 hole, the largest ever observed.

Homogenizing Global Sulfur Dioxide Measurements from Multiple Satellite Sensors

Satellite mapping of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is useful to track volcanic and anthropogenic emissions in places where detailed SO₂ emission information is not available.

TES measurements demonstrate ammonia emissions are under-reported

Ammonia (NH₃) pungently affects air quality. It is also involved in the formation of aerosol PM2.5 particles, which have adverse health effects, and impacts soil acidification, biodiversity, and the nitrogen cycle.

NASA Ozone Study May Benefit Air Standards

(Science Daily article)
A new NASA-led study uses TES data to find that when it comes to combating global warming caused by emissions of ozone-forming chemicals, location matters.

In the News : Aura Features

Aura Satellite Sees Increase of India's Sulfur Dioxide Emissions
12.19.2013 - Power plant emissions of sulfur dioxide -- an atmospheric pollutant with both health and climate impacts -- have increased across India in recent years, according to a new analysis of data from a NASA satellite.

Know Your Earth 3.0: Aura / About Anne Douglass
04.01.2013 - Anne Douglass is the project scientist for Aura, one of NASA's Earth Observing System's flagship missions.

A Satellite's View of Ship Pollution
02.08.2013 - Aura's Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) instrument show long tracks of elevated nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels along certain shipping routes.

Pollution across Southwestern Asia
01.18.2013 - Cold winter weather and burgeoning industrial economies have made for difficult breathing in Asia and the Middle East this January.

NASA Ozone Study May Benefit Air Standards, Climate
01.16.2013 - A new NASA-led study finds that when it comes to combating global warming caused by emissions of ozone-forming chemicals, location matters.