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Description

The Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of POllution (TEMPO) mission is the first space-based instrument to continuously measure daytime air quality over North America, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific and from Central Canada to Mexico City. These data are essential for understanding diurnal changes in air quality and monitoring real-time movement of smoke and dust events. 

This three-day in-person Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET) training provided an overview of TEMPO observations, showed users how to access and visualize the data, and highlighted example air quality applications in the Western U.S. We also covered other missions and datasets which can complement TEMPO for additional insights supporting air quality forecasting and management.

This in-person training was in collaboration with the TEMPO applications team, the Atmospheric Science Data Center (ASDC), and was hosted by the Western States Air Resources Council (WESTAR) at Colorado State University.

Dates

Aug. 5-7, 2025

Location

For Collins, Colorado

Prerequisites

Objectives

By the end of this training attendees will be able to:

  • Identify TEMPO capabilities and available data products.
  • Describe the strengths and limitations of TEMPO compared with existing AQ satellite or ground-based remote sensing resources and in situ observations.
  • Recall TEMPO data distribution interfaces and be able to visualize data online as well as download files.
  • Apply data toward primary air quality challenges using visualization tools and Python codes.

Audience

  • State, local, and tribal air quality managers in the Midwestern and Western U.S., as well as air quality professionals from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector.

Course Format

  • Three-day, in-person workshop

Sessions

Day 1: Introduction to TEMPO and Remote Sensing for Air Quality Monitoring

Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025

TopicMaterials

Welcome and Overview

Introduction to Geostationary Observations for Air Quality Applications in the Western US (PDF, 2 MB)
Remote Sensing for Air Quality Monitoring

Satellite Resources for Air Quality (PDF, 10.3 MB)

Worldview Visualization Demo and Exercise (PDF, 741 KB)

Introduction to TEMPOOverview of TEMPO Instrument (PDF, 8.7 MB)

Trace Gas Data Products from TEMPO and Other Sensors

Aerosol Data Products from TEMPO and Other Sensors

Analyzing Trace Gases Using TEMPO Data (PDF, 11.3 MB)
Web-Based Visualization of TEMPO Data ProductsSimple TEMPO Data Visualization (PDF, 639 KB)

Day 2: Data Analysis and Visualization

Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025

TopicMaterials
Find and Download TEMPO Data

Interfaces for Accessing TEMPO Data (PDF, 1.2 MB)

Downloading and Interpreting TEMPO Data Files Programmatically (PDF, 491 KB)

Subsetting and FilteringU.S. EPA Remote Sensing Information Gateway (RSIG) (PDF, 3.3 MB)
Code-Based Visualization of TEMPO Data ProductsTEMPO in Earthdata GIS (PDF, 5.7 MB)
Use Case: Surface Air Quality Estimation and MappingUse Case- Surface Air Quality Estimation (PDF, 856 KB)
Use Case: Stratospheric Intrusion and Ozone ExceedanceOzone Exceedance and Tracking Precursors with TEMPO (PDF, 3.2 MB)

Day 3: Applications, Case Studies, and Real-World Implementation

Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025

TopicMaterials
Use Case: Wildfire Smoke and Dust TransportUse Case- Wildfire Smoke & Dust Transport (PDF, 2.6 MB)
Use Case: Exceptional Event Demonstration SupportExceptional Event Tools and Satellite Observations for Air Quality Applications in the South Coast AQMD (PDF, 7.5 MB)
Applying TEMPO Data: Project in Small Groups

Prepare for Group Project on Applying Remote Sensing Data (PDF, 173 KB)

Case Study Instructions (PDF, 658 KB)

Conclusion

Conclusions & Closing Thoughts (PDF, 284 KB)

Resources (PDF, 104 KB)

Citation

ARSET - Introduction to Geostationary Satellite Observations for Air Quality Applications in the Western US. NASA Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET). https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/learn/trainings/introduction-geostationary-satellite-observations-air-quality-applications-western

Details

Last Updated

Feb. 9, 2026

Published

Aug. 5, 2025

Data Center/Project

Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET)