Detecting CO2 in the atmosphere

  • Thread starter Thread starter HankDorsett
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Atmosphere Co2
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the detection of CO2 in the atmosphere, particularly in relation to satellite measurements and their capabilities. Participants explore the methods of tracking CO2 emissions, the accuracy of social media representations, and the technology behind atmospheric monitoring.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the methods for detecting CO2 in the atmosphere and references a social media post claiming that a NASA satellite can measure CO2 emissions from the Amazon forest fire.
  • Another participant provides links to NOAA resources discussing local measurements of CO2, questioning the existence of satellites capable of near real-time global CO2 tracking.
  • Some participants affirm the existence of satellites that can measure CO2 emissions and produce heat maps, referencing a Wikipedia article on space-based measurements of carbon dioxide.
  • There is a discussion about the accuracy of a specific social media post, with one participant suggesting that the instrument mentioned may have been measuring carbon monoxide instead of CO2.
  • A participant mentions a tool called earth.nullschool for monitoring CO and CO2, noting its sources and discussing the nature of fires contributing to CO emissions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of certainty regarding the capabilities of satellites to measure CO2 emissions. While some affirm the existence of such technology, others question the accuracy of specific claims made in social media posts, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved on certain points.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions of measurement capabilities, the specific instruments used, and the accuracy of social media representations. Some assumptions about the nature of the data and its interpretation remain unaddressed.

HankDorsett
Gold Member
Messages
82
Reaction score
29
I didn't notice this forum section until just now, I noticed it as I was scrolling down to the general area to ask if anyone knew of a forum that deals with climate science.

What ways can we detect CO2 in the atmosphere. I've seen some social media posts that show an image of South America that shows the amount of CO2 being released in the atmosphere due to the Amazon forest fire. They claim this image was produced by a NASA satellite that can measure CO2 in the atmosphere. Is this possible? I've come across some search results that seem to contradict this.
 
Earth sciences news on Phys.org
HankDorsett said:
This seems to talk about a local measurement of CO2. Do we have satellites that can measure in near real-time CO2 emissions?
To be more precise on my question. Do we have satellites that can globally track CO2 emissions at almost real time and able to produce a heat map?
 
I only ask this because I've seen a social media post regarding this. This post showed an image of South America with a heat map of CO2 emissions from the Amazon forest fire. I thought if this was actually capable it would be something quite interesting.
 
No way to tell without seeing the social media post, but if it was the video below one it was the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument on NASA's Aqua satellite measuring carbon monoxide.

 
glappkaeft said:
No way to tell without seeing the social media post, but if it was the video below one it was the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument on NASA's Aqua satellite measuring carbon monoxide.


That's exactly what they posted. For whatever reason they were claiming it was measuring CO2. Thanks for the verification
 
  • #10
earth.nullschool is a pretty nifty tool for monitoring CO and CO2.
They list their sources as: GEOS-5 / GMAO / NASA

Thumbing through the levels by one day increments, it looks as though most of the fires are probably farm burns, as they last only a day.

I digitized one fires CO output over the course of a day, and 3 days worth of CO2 for it and what I assume to be rain forest.

CO.and.CO2.South.America.png
 

Similar threads

Atmospheric absorbance of CO2 and impact of increaseing concentration
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
7K
CO2 Residence Times, Ocean Levels What Next?
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
12K
Why Do CO2 Levels Vary During Glacial and Interglacial Periods?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
7K
Cooling of Atmosphere Due to CO2 Emission: A Critical Analysis
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
24K
Some trees are growing like crazy
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
Graduate Atmospheric Emission: Climate Change, CO2 & Quantum Chemistry
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Irreversible Climate Change Already?
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
9K
Is Mars' High CO2 Atmosphere a Good Model for Earth's Greenhouse Effect?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
Global warming is not caused by CO2
  • · Replies 184 ·
7
Replies
184
Views
50K
Model CO2 as Greenhouse Gas: Tips & Results
  • · Replies 186 ·
7
Replies
186
Views
95K