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NASA has unveiled the first-ever pollution data maps generated by its TEMPO (Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution) instrument. Operating from an orbit 22,000 miles above the equator, TEMPO provides visual depictions of pollution and air quality over North America. These images display the levels of nitrogen dioxide in the Washington, D.C./Philadelphia/New York region at 12:14 and 4:24 p.m. on August 2, based on measurements taken by TEMPO. The photos, captured by Kel Elkins, Trent Schindler, and Cindy Starr of NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio, demonstrate the potential of TEMPO to revolutionize pollution monitoring.
According to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, TEMPO’s data will have a transformative impact on neighborhoods and communities across the country for years to come. He highlights the recent firsthand experiences of millions of Americans who felt the health effects of smoky air caused by forest fires as an important reason for making TEMPO’s data accessible and actionable for decision-makers and individuals alike. With TEMPO, NASA and the Biden-Harris Administration aim to enhance air quality monitoring and strive for better breathing conditions for everyone on Earth.
The TEMPO instrument is poised to significantly advance pollution studies in various fields, including analyzing rush-hour traffic pollution, tracking the dissemination of smoke and ash from wildfires and volcanic eruptions, and examining the impact of fertilizer application on agricultural lands.
TEMPO’s launch on April 6, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, has enabled it to conduct hourly scans of the lower atmosphere over North America, spanning the continent from coast to coast and from Mexico City to Canada. This comprehensive coverage allows TEMPO to measure ozone, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, aerosols, water vapor, and other trace gases that contribute to air pollution. The initial data received from TEMPO excites NASA, and project manager Kevin Daugherty expresses anticipation for completing the commissioning phase and commencing scientific research.
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