NASA’s Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) mission has been exceeding expectations, revealing its capability to detect and pinpoint greenhouse gas emissions from space. According to NASA, the mission, launched in July 2022 aboard the International Space Station, initially aimed to map key minerals in arid regions but has since become a vital tool in tracking methane plumes, surpassing its creators’ predictions.
Robert O. Green, a JPL senior research scientist and EMIT’s principal investigator described the number and scale of methane plumes measured EMIT as stunning. EMIT’s unexpected proficiency in identifying point-source emissions of greenhouse gases, particularly methane, has sparked interest.
The imaging spectrometer has successfully identified over 750 emission sources since August 2022, showcasing the versatility and effectiveness of EMIT’s capabilities. This is despite methane detection not being part of its primary mission. Scientists and researchers are particularly surprised the instrument’s performance, stating that it has exceeded their expectations.
EMIT’s ability to identify emissions from various scales is particularly noteworthy, allowing for the identification of “super-emitters,” sources that contribute disproportionately to total emissions. Its wide coverage area, orbiting approximately 250 miles above the Earth’s surface on the International Space Station, enables researchers to observe methane plumes in regions considered too remote for airborne instruments.
NASA notes that EMIT’s observations have provided critical insights into methane emissions, including detecting a cluster of emissions sources in southern Uzbekistan and identifying smaller-than-expected plumes in remote areas like southeastern Libya. The findings of the mission were published in the journal Science Advances.
The space-based instrument’s coverage enables researchers to observe methane plumes in regions previously beyond the reach of airborne instruments. Its broad scope and the mission’s data are made publicly available, enabling scientists, organizations, and the public to access and utilize this valuable resource in ongoing efforts to address greenhouse gas emissions.