New technology placed on the International Space Station is focusing on the release of methane, a major threat to planet Earth.
For decades, the International Space Station has expanded scientific research beyond the earth's atmosphere. But now, a technology placed on the station is zeroing in on a major threat to our planet itself, the release of methane, a dangerous greenhouse gas.
"Blew me away, EMIT wasn't designed to look at methane, although we knew it could have some potential," says Robert Green, Ph.D., principal investigator with NASA's EMIT project.EMIT employs a sophisticated imaging spectrometer developed at NASA-JPL in Pasadena. The technology was launched and installed on the space station in early 2022.
By essentially measuring reflected light, it can identify the fingerprint of substances like methane in the atmosphere. But researchers were surprised when EMIT began documenting plumes from so-called super-emitters including a landfill in Iran and another site detected over oil-rich Turkmenistan. "And the beauty at which we're able to retrieve them with the EMIT measurement, it really exceeded all my expectations," says Green.One reason for the excitement is that EMIT's core mission is actually to image dust and elements that might influence climate change. But over the last decade, researchers in California have helped pioneer the use of airborne spectrometers to monitor methane releases from sites ranging from utilities to landfills to wastewater treatment plants..
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New James Webb Space Telescope photos show a massive galaxy cluster bending lightIs it two galaxies, or two star clusters? Astronomers aren't yet sure what the James Webb Space Telescope spotted in an image of the early universe.
Read more »
SLC voters to decide $85 million bond for new parks, trails and open spaceVoters in Utah's capital city will decide whether to fund an $85 million bond to build new parks and secure open spaces.
Read more »
Particles from space provide a new look inside cyclonesCosmic rays that smash into the atmosphere make muons that are sensitive to changing air pressure inside storms.
Read more »
New Research Bolsters Theory that Climate Change Will Make Our Space Trash Problem Even WorseEarth's upper atmosphere is becoming less dense as the planet warms, leaving satellites in orbit longer and increasing collision risks, new research suggests.
Read more »
Lucid’s New At-Home EV Charge Station Doubles Charging SpeedYou won't have to spend as much time waiting at public chargers anymore.
Read more »
Netflix's chilling new Jessica Chastain movie is one of 5 new releases todayAmong today's new Netflix releases is 'The Good Nurse,' in which Jessica Chastain plays an ICU nurse trying to stop a killer.
Read more »