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Those planes flying really low all weekend? That’s just NASA collecting pollution data
Two NASA aircraft, including the P-3 shown here, will be flying over Baltimore, Philadelphia, Virginia and California between June 17 and July 2, to collect data on air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions.
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Courtesy NASA
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Residents in L.A., the Imperial Valley, and the Tulare Basin can expect to hear low-flying planes starting today until Tuesday, July 2, as NASA collects data on air pollutants and greenhouse gasses over landfills, power plants and urban areas at altitudes between 1,000 and 10,000 feet.
About the mission
These flights will double check on the measurements captured by NASA’s TEMPO (Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution) mission — which launched a commercial satellite last year to monitor daytime pollutants across the United States, northern Mexico and Canada.
Several of the pollutants NASA is monitoring and collecting samples on include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, and ozone.
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It is part of a campaign to support the NASA Student Airborne Research Program, where participants research atmospheric chemistry, air quality, forest ecology, and ocean biology through data collected from aircraft. In addition, students get to participate in field data collection.
The aim is to use this information to support smart climate policy. “The goal is that this data we collect will feed into policy decisions that affect air quality and climate in the region,” said Glenn Wolfe, a research scientist at NASA.
The hardware
NASA will be using a modified P-3B Orion, which has been retrofitted for use as an “airborne science laboratory,” and is also used by the space agency to study ecology, geography, hydrology, atmospheric chemistry, satellite calibration/validation, and other scientific ventures.
In addition to the P-3B Orion, NASA will be using a Beechcraft King Air 200 which will lend support to the mission in various ways.
Track the flights yourself
Check out where the planes are flying here. (Be sure to click on the map to zoom in.)
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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