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NASA's Aura platform detects the unique spectral signatures of trace gases in the atmosphere, including pollutants such as ozone, carbon monoxide, and aerosols. Measurements made by Aura's four instruments help scientists answer questions about ozone trends, air quality changes, and how these fluctuations contribute to climate change.

Type

Earth Observation Satellite

Data Center

ASDC
GES DISC

Launch

July 15, 2004

Objective

Measure trace gases in Earth's atmosphere
Instrument NameOperational Date(s)Spectral ResolutionType of Instrument
Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS)2004At millimeter and submillimeter wavelengthsProfiler/Sounder
High Resolution Dynamics Limb Sounder (HIRDLS)20046 to 18 mmProfiler/Sounder
Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES)20043.2 to 15.4 μm , with four single-line arrays optimized for different spectral regionsSpectrometer
Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI)20041.0 to 0.45 nm Full Width and Half Maximum (FWHM)Spectrometer

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