One of the biggest problems we currently face is related to the climate. In this sense, NASA is preparing to study the air in Asia, with the aim of understanding, in a more technical way, the air we breathe. Although the work will take place on the continent in question, it is a global effort, which is carried out together with the National Institute of Environmental Research of Korea (NIER).
As the name of the mission suggests (Airborne and Satellite Investigation of Asian Air Quality, or ASIA-AQ mission), satellite resources will be used, as well as aircraft and ground-based instruments to study the air. All information will be shared with government agencies, according to the NASA news portal.
Illustrative Image: (via NASA)
To change, you must first understand, and that is exactly what Jim Crawford, the project’s main researcher, defends. In his opinion, it is essential to observe the air using various instruments, as crossing information will allow us to formulate conclusions that are much more objective and useful for Science.
Importance of satellite observations, ground and aerial measurements
In light of what is mentioned by the information source in question, satellite observations and terrestrial measurements are quite important. However, by themselves, they are not enough to maximize knowledge about the air we breathe. Therefore, the addition of aerial measurements is essential, as NASA explains.
When it comes to aircraft, NASA will provide two, in order to understand the pollution problems we are all subject to. The DC-8 is equipped with 26 study instruments and will allow, through its flight at low altitudes, to learn more about the atmosphere close to the ground, at the level of people and habitats.
The second aircraft, the G-III, will fly a little higher. It is approximately 8.5 km high, in order to establish a high-resolution map of the distribution of pollution, understanding its fluctuations throughout the day (via NASA). The data in question will be cross-referenced with Korean NIER aircraft, which will help with data analysis.
The ASIA-AQ study allows us to draw conclusions about the air in the rest of the world
As Laura Judd, scientist on NASA’s G-III aircraft platform, points out, the fact that Science can understand the causes means that certain events are approached in a very different and safer way. The objective, therefore, is to study and ensure that the public is aware of the atmosphere that surrounds them.
The ASIA-AQ project, as the name suggests, takes place in Asia, however, its conclusions are anything but local. On the contrary, they will allow us to trace patterns and evidence for all sides of the world and, of course, imply a collaborative effort between scientists, aircraft and other types of instruments.