The ESA’s MetOp satellite (IMAGE)
Caption
Using Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) data, scientists can estimate how much of the Sun’s radiation is being absorbed by specific gases – like ammonia – in Earth’s atmosphere. From its post aboard ESA’s MetOp satellite, the instrument observes the amount of ammonia in 12 kilometer-wide “columns.” Imagine a drinking straw with a hole roughly the size of Staten Island, extending all the way from Earth’s surface to the top of the atmosphere. With IASI data, scientists can estimate the density of ammonia in each square centimeter, from end to end, of that 12-kilometer-wide straw. That metric is then reported as ammonia vertical column density. In columns where there is more ammonia, the ammonia vertical column density is higher. Because IASI is constantly making these measurements, researchers can identify when vertical column density is higher or lower in certain areas, and then correlate the density with changes in seasons, agricultural activity, and environmental events.
Credit
Illustration from ESA - AOES Medialab
Usage Restrictions
No restrictions.
License
Public Domain