These are independent reviews of the products mentioned, but TIME receives a commission when purchases are made through affiliate links at no additional cost to the purchaser.
Air pollutants travel fast, and daily observations make it hard to pinpoint the source. In August, the NASA TEMPO (Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring Pollution)—which hovers on a satellite 22,000 miles above North America—began monitoring nitrogen dioxide and air quality, sending hourly updates that allow scientists to better understand the sources of pollution, which is increasingly urgent given global declines in air quality and bouts of wildfire smoke. This high-altitude perch allows an unprecedented macro analysis, and high-resolution tracking enables scientists to zoom in on a town or city level.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Melinda French Gates Is Going It Alone
- What to Do if You Can’t Afford Your Medications
- How to Buy Groceries Without Breaking the Bank
- Sienna Miller Is the Reason to Watch Horizon
- Why So Many Bitcoin Mining Companies Are Pivoting to AI
- The 15 Best Movies to Watch on a Plane
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time