Aerosol index measurements indicating dust blowing westwards from Africa across the Atlantic Ocean during the period July 1, 1988 to September 29, 1988. as measured by Earth Probe TOMS

As the aerosol content and solar heating change with time, the atmosphere and the Earths surface experience different warming and cooling. This animation displays a time series of the INDOEX region with 8-day averages showing aerosol and solar reflectance (albedo) data from the Terra satellite From these, we see how these inputs generate warming of the atmosphere (Atmospheric Forcing - red regions) and cooling of the surface (Surface Forcing - dark regions). Areas of missing data (due to clouds, etc.) are either black or transparent.

As the aerosol content and solar heating change with time, the atmosphere and the Earths surface experience different warming and cooling. This animation displays a time series of the INDOEX region with 8-day averages showing aerosol and solar reflectance (albedo) data from the Terra satellite. From these, we see how these inputs generate warming of the atmosphere (Atmospheric Forcing - red regions) and cooling of the surface (Surface Forcing - dark regions). Areas of missing data (due to clouds, etc.) are either black or transparent.

A devastating series of fires occurred in Southern California during October 2003. The effects of these fires were detectable from space. The Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) instrument measures aerosol particles (microscopic airborne dust and smoke). TOMS was able to detect aerosols from these fires moving West over the Pacific Ocean and East over the continental United States.

Saharan dust storms raise dust that is carried in the upper atmosphere across the Atlantic Ocean. That dust can land as far west as the Caribbean and the Americas. This dust can carry potentially hazardous bacteria and fungi.

Saharan dust storms raise dust that is carried in the upper atmosphere across the Atlantic Ocean. That dust can land as far west as the Caribbean and the Americas. This dust can carry potentially hazardous bacteria and fungi.

Aerosol concentrations over Borneo from February 1, 1998 to March 1, 1998 as measured by Earth Probe TOMS

Aerosol index over South America from August 1, 1987 through September 30, 1987 as measured by the Nimbus-7 Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS)

Aerosol index over Africa from July 2, 1986 through September 7, 1986 as measured by the Nimbus-7 Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS)

The purpose of this investigation is to have students analyze cloud cover and to compose written conclusions to a given related scenario.

Simulations of effects of black carbon aerosols on temperature, precipitation, and radiation flux. This view covers the simulation of added black carbon in the atmosphere based on measurements from INDOEX and industrial regions in China. It starts showing temperature changes (blue is cooler, red is warmer), fades to precipitation changes (blue is wetter, brown is dryer) and finally radiate flux at ground level (black is less, yellow is more).

Simulations of effects of black carbon aerosols on temperature, precipitation, and radiation flux. This version presents stills from two different simulations (for comparison). For experiment A, black carbon is added based on INDOEX measurements while experiment B is run with no black carbon aerosols.

This course provides an introduction to the physics and chemistry of the atmosphere, including experience with computer codes. It is intended for undergraduates and first year graduate students.

This animation sequences through the MODIS imagery of the devastating Californian fires from October 23, 2003 through October 29, 2003. Then the animation resets to October 23, 2003 and zooms out to see the TOMS aerosol sequence. It clearly shows that the California fires had an impact on air quality as far east as Maine.

This lesson is designed to help students gain knowledge in using the MY NASA DATA Live Access Server (LAS) to specify and download a microset of data, then to use the data to investigate the carbon monoxide level at a fixed latitude.

A large dust storm develops over China on April 6 and 7, 2001. This animation shows the dust moving over China, Russia, Japan, the Pacific Ocean, and Canada, settling over the United States.

A major dust storm occurred in April 2001 over parts of China and Mongolia. Dust from this storm was transported all the way to the coast of the United States. Although dust from the Sahara Desert is routinely transported across the Atlantic to the east coast of the United States, Asian dust rarely makes the distance across the Pacific to the west coast. These airborne microscopic dust and smoke particles, or aerosols, were measured by the TOMS instrument on the Earth Probe satellite. For governments struggling to meet national air quality standards, knowing more about the sources and movement of pollution across national borders has become an important issue.

A thick shroud of dust appears over China on April 6 and 7, 2001. The densest portion of the aerosol pollution travels east over China, Russia, Japan, the Pacific Ocean, Canada, and the United States.

A thick shroud of dust appears over China on April 6-7, 2001. The densest portion of the aerosol pollution travels east over China, Russia, Japan, the Pacific Ocean, Canada, and The United States.