NASA's new methane detection tool will help detect 'super-emitters' from space

NASA’s new methane detection tool will help detect ‘super-emitters’ from space. NASA has developed a new tool to detect methane emissions from space, which could help in the fight against climate change. The new instrument, called the Methane Emissions Imaging Lidar (MEIL), is aboard the agency’s Airborne Science-Lidar Technology Observatory (ASLTO).

The MEIL is a powerful laser that can penetrate clouds and identify sources of methane emissions with great accuracy. The data collected by the instrument will be used to create maps of methane “super-emitters” around the world. This is an important step in the fight against climate change, as methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. The new tool will help scientists to better understand and target these emissions, in order to mitigate their impact on the environment.

What is NASA’s new methane detection tool?

NASA’s new methane detection tool is a satellite-based instrument that can measure methane concentrations in the atmosphere with unprecedented accuracy. The instrument, called the Methane Remote Sensing Lidar (MRSL), will be used to detect and quantify methane emissions from natural gas production and other sources.

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, making it a major contributor to climate change. In the United States, methane emissions from natural gas production have increased by more than 30 percent since 2005. These emissions come from a variety of sources, including leaks in gas pipelines and wells, and flaring (burning off) of excess gas during drilling operations.

The MRSL instrument will allow NASA to pinpoint methane “super-emitters” – sources that release large amounts of methane into the atmosphere. This information will be used to help reduce these emissions and slow the rate of climate change.

How will this tool help detect ‘super-emitters’?

This new tool will use shortwave infrared light to detect methane emissions from space. This is important because methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. The ability to detect these emissions from space will help us identify areas where methane is being emitted, and this information can be used to take steps to reduce these emissions.

What are the benefits of detecting ‘super-emitters’?

There are many benefits to detecting ‘super-emitters’ of methane. For one, it can help us to identify and track potential sources of pollution. Additionally, it can help us to better understand the global methane budget, and how human activity is impacting this important greenhouse gas. Finally, by identifying these ‘super-emitters’, we can target our mitigation efforts more effectively, in order to reduce their impact on climate change.

How will this tool be used in the future?

NASA’s new methane detection tool could help identify ‘super-emitters’ of the greenhouse gas from space, potentially leading to better targeting of pollution reduction efforts on Earth.

The tool, which is still in development, uses an imaging spectrometer to measure the spectral signature of methane. By taking measurements at multiple wavelengths, the instrument can produce a three-dimensional map of methane concentrations in the atmosphere.

The team behind the tool hopes that it will eventually be used on a satellite mission to provide global coverage of methane emissions. This would allow for the identification of both natural and anthropogenic sources of the gas, as well as ‘super-emitters’ – areas where emissions are particularly high.

In addition to its potential use in monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, the tool could also have applications in detecting leaks from natural gas pipelines and identifying volcanic activity.

Conclusion

NASA’s new methane detection tool is a valuable addition to our arsenal of environmental monitoring tools. With it, we’ll be able to more accurately detect and measure sources of methane emissions, helping us to better understand and address the issue of climate change.