Pollution: NASA tracks ‘super emitters’ of methane from space

The mission was launched into space in July and installed on the International Space Station, and initially the goal, dubbed EMIT, was to observe how the movement of mineral dust affects the climate. But this instrument has also proven useful on another crucial mission: It has spotted more than 50 “super emitters” in Central Asia, the Middle East, and the southwestern United States, NASA said Tuesday.

This ability “It will not only help scientists better identify the source of the methane leak, but it also helps understand how we can Process it, quickly“NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said. The extremely powerful tool is capable of checking domains “several tens of kilometers” But also focus on “Small areas like a football field”determines the space agency in statement.

This technology made it possible to detect plumes, some of which “Among the greatest ever seen”Andrew Thorpe of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) added in a news release. “What we have found in such a short time is already far beyond what one can imagine.”