NASA's latest video provides a striking visualization of carbon dioxide (CO2) patterns in the Earth's atmosphere, showcasing data from January to March 2020.
This visualization reveals CO2 emissions from major U.S. cities, demonstrating how the gas disperses and swirls due to atmospheric currents.
The video uses the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) model, which integrates satellite data from Terra's MODIS, Suomi-NPP's VIIRS, and ground observations.
The video highlights the complex interplay between CO2 emissions and weather patterns, as explained by NASA climate scientist Lesley Ott.
The visualization shows how CO2 is interconnected with various weather systems, providing valuable insights into the movement and concentration of this greenhouse gas.
Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, have significantly increased CO2 levels in the atmosphere.
The video also illustrates CO2 emissions from major centers of fossil fuel use, such as cities and power stations in the U.S., China, and South Asia.
The visualization reveals a daily pattern where CO2 levels increase during daylight hours and decrease at night due to reduced fires and active photosynthesis by plants.
NASA's visualization aims to highlight the dense regions of CO2 emissions, such as New York and Beijing, while also addressing potential misconceptions about CO2 distribution.