TEMPO Instrument Captures Its First Images of Air Pollution Over Greater North America
TEMPO Instrument Captures Its First Images of Air Pollution Over Greater North America | Center for Astrophysics Harvard CfA
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TEMPO Mission: Tracking Air Quality for a Sustainable Future
Introduction
Cambridge, MA–The first images, collected once per hour over a six-hour time window on August 2, provide a glimpse into the capabilities of the TEMPO mission in tracking nitrogen dioxide levels. This toxic pollutant, primarily emitted from burning fuel, contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone and particle pollution. The TEMPO mission aims to monitor air quality on an hourly basis in areas as small as four square miles, equivalent to the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This article highlights the significance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) throughout the TEMPO mission.
TEMPO’s Data: A New Era of Air-Quality Monitoring
“Our first look at TEMPO’s data shows that it is working superbly,” stated Xiong Liu, the deputy principal investigator of the TEMPO mission. The TEMPO team, consisting of scientists from the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, expressed their excitement after more than a decade of work on the mission. TEMPO’s ability to track nitrogen dioxide and other major air pollutants during daylight hours, including ozone, aerosols, sulfur dioxide, and formaldehyde, provides valuable insights into air quality. Additionally, TEMPO measures light pollution at night, which can have detrimental effects on the environment.
Monitoring North America’s Air Quality
Operating approximately 22,000 miles above North America, TEMPO examines a vast region that encompasses diverse communities, species, and environments. Unlike previous Earth-monitoring satellites that collected data over a specific region once per day, TEMPO’s unique positioning allows it to monitor nearly the entire North American continent throughout daylight hours. This capability enables scientists to study how air quality changes over the course of a day and how it varies between regions and neighborhoods. By analyzing this data, scientists can identify the disproportionate impact of air pollution on underserved communities and develop informed policies to address these inequities.
Implications for Public Health and the Environment
The data collected by TEMPO has the potential to enhance air-quality warnings, benefiting individuals with preexisting respiratory conditions who need to know when to stay indoors. Furthermore, TEMPO’s observations can shed light on how changing weather patterns, influenced by climate change, affect air quality and impact the health of wildlife and vegetation. The mission’s findings may revolutionize air-quality forecasts in North America and contribute to an international constellation of satellites dedicated to air-quality monitoring.
Collaboration and Future Prospects
TEMPO was selected as NASA’s first Earth Venture Instrument in 2012. The mission was built by Ball Aerospace and is attached to the Intelsat IS-40e telecommunications satellite. The TEMPO team at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian includes scientists from various institutions and agencies, such as NASA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The TEMPO data will supplement regional air-quality data from the EPA, improving the agency’s ability to provide high-quality air-quality information to the public through a website and mobile app. Additionally, real-time monitoring by TEMPO allows for prompt responses to environmental events like wildfires or volcanic eruptions.
Conclusion
The TEMPO mission plays a crucial role in building a more sustainable planet for all living things. By tracking air quality with unprecedented detail and frequency, TEMPO contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The mission’s data will inform policies to address air pollution disparities, protect public health, and preserve the environment. The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian is proud to be at the forefront of this fundamentally important mission.
About the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian is a collaborative effort between Harvard and the Smithsonian, aiming to answer humanity’s greatest unresolved questions about the universe. With research facilities across the U.S. and worldwide, the Center for Astrophysics is headquartered in Cambridge, MA.
Media Contact:
Megan Watzke
Interim CfA Public Affairs Officer
Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
+1 617-953-5411
mwatzke@cfa.harvard.edu
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the monitoring of air quality and its impact on human health, urban communities, climate change, and wildlife. These issues are directly connected to the Sustainable Development Goals mentioned above.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
- SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
These targets focus on reducing deaths and illnesses from air pollution, improving air quality in cities, building resilience to climate-related hazards, and ensuring the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator: Tracking nitrogen dioxide levels on an hourly basis in geographic areas as small as four square miles.
- Indicator: Monitoring most major air pollutants during daylight hours, including ozone, aerosols, sulfur dioxide, and formaldehyde.
- Indicator: Measuring light pollution at night.
These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets by providing data on the levels of nitrogen dioxide and other air pollutants, as well as the extent of light pollution.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | – Tracking nitrogen dioxide levels on an hourly basis in geographic areas as small as four square miles. – Monitoring most major air pollutants during daylight hours, including ozone, aerosols, sulfur dioxide, and formaldehyde. – Measuring light pollution at night. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | – Tracking nitrogen dioxide levels on an hourly basis in geographic areas as small as four square miles. – Monitoring most major air pollutants during daylight hours, including ozone, aerosols, sulfur dioxide, and formaldehyde. – Measuring light pollution at night. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | – Tracking nitrogen dioxide levels on an hourly basis in geographic areas as small as four square miles. – Monitoring most major air pollutants during daylight hours, including ozone, aerosols, sulfur dioxide, and formaldehyde. – Measuring light pollution at night. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements. | – Tracking nitrogen dioxide levels on an hourly basis in geographic areas as small as four square miles. – Monitoring most major air pollutants during daylight hours, including ozone, aerosols, sulfur dioxide, and formaldehyde. – Measuring light pollution at night. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: cfa.harvard.edu
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