NASA On Air: U.S. Air Quality Improving (6/26/2014)

United StatesThis visualization shows tropospheric column concentrations of nitrogen dioxide across the U.S. as detected by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument on NASA s Aura satellite. Blue and green denote lower concentrations and orange and red areas denote higher concentrations, ranging from 1e+15 to 5e+15 molecules per square centimeter, respectively. AtlantaSatellite data show that Atlanta has seen a 42 percent decrease in nitrogen dioxide between the 2005-2007 (left) and 2009-2011 (right) periods. ChicagoSatellite data show that Chicago has seen a 43 percent decrease in nitrogen dioxide between the 2005-2007 (left) and 2009-2011 (right) periods. DenverSatellite data show that Denver has seen a 22 percent decrease in nitrogen dioxide between the 2005-2007 (left) and 2009-2011 (right) periods. HoustonSatellite data show that Houston has seen a 24 percent decrease in nitrogen dioxide between the 2005-2007 (left) and 2009-2011 (right) periods. Los Angeles-San DiegoSatellite data show that the Los Angeles area has seen a 40 percent decrease in nitrogen dioxide between the 2005-2007 (left) and 2009-2011 (right) periods. New York CitySatellite data show that New York City has seen a 32 percent decrease in nitrogen dioxide between the 2005-2007 (left) and 2009-2011 (right) periods. PhiladelphiaSatellite data show that Philadelphia has seen a 26 percent decrease in nitrogen dioxide between the 2005-2007 (left) and 2009-2011 (right) periods. San Francisco Bay AreaThese images show how nitrogen dioxide in the San Francisco Bay area changed between the 2005-2007 (left) and 2009-2011 (right) periods. TampaThese images show nitrogen dioxide in Tampa, averaged over 2005 (left) and 2011 (right). Northeast U.S. – 2005 Still for SliderClose up of nitrogen dioxide in the Northeast U.S. averaged over 2005. Northeast U.S. – 2011 Still for SliderClose up of nitrogen dioxide in the Northeast U.S. averaged over 2011. Ohio River Valley – 2005 Still for SliderClose up of nitrogen dioxide in the Ohio River Valley averaged over 2005. Ohio River Valley – 2011 Still for SliderClose up of nitrogen dioxide in the Ohio River Valley averaged over 2011. This visualization corresponds to a hyperwall show of the material above.

Animation depicting the Aura satellite collecting (simulated) OMI data over the earth. On June 19, 2004, NASA launches Aura, a next generation Earth-observing satellite. One of several instruments on the Aura satellite is the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). OMI is a contribution of the Netherland s Agency for Aerospace Programs (NIVR) along with the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). OMI will continue the TOMS record for total ozone and other atmospheric parameters related to ozone chemistry and climate. (For more information on the Aura project, please visit http://aura.gsfc.nasa.gov/)Note: The size of the satellite model in the following animation and stills has been exaggerated for aesthetic purposes. Aura passing over Europe collecting (simulated) OMI data. Aura passing over Eastern North America collecting (simulated) OMI data. Aura passing over Central North America collecting (simulated) OMI data. Aura passing over Western North America collecting (simulated) OMI data. Aura completing one full earth pass of (simulated) OMI data. Aura approaching Asia while collecting (simulated) OMI data.