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Description

This training covered the applications of Earth observations for decision-making activities. Lectures and exercises highlighted applications related to air quality monitoring, forecasting, smoke, fire, PM2.5 monitoring, image interpretation, and data access for modeling efforts. To conclude the training, participants completed a case study that incorporated all data portals, tools, and relevant data. Participants applied this to properly identify, track, and measure air quality events of their choosing. This allowed them to assess the strengths and weaknesses of these data products. This training was hosted by the U.S. EPA in partnership with NASA's Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET).

Date

March 21-23, 2023

Location

Triangle Park, Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina

Instructors

  • Melanie Follette-Cook (ARSET)
  • Pawan Gupta (ARSET)
  • Carl Malings (ARSET)
  • Sarah Strode (NASA/Morgan State University)

Audience

Air quality and health professionals and decision-makers from local, state, and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.

Course Format

  • Three-day in-person training

Sessions

Day 1

Tuesday, March 21, 2023
 
TopicMaterials
Registration 
Opening, Introductions, & Logistics
Review of Current EPA Satellite Applications 
Introduction to Satellite Remote Sensing
Satellite Imagery, Data Formats, and Access
 Break 
Exploring Satellite Imagery Using NASA Worldview & Giovanni
Introduction to GEO sensors and exploring Aerosol Watch
Lunch 
Satellite-Based Fire Products: Methods, Data Access, and Applications
Smoke Monitoring from Space
Break 
Remote Sensing of Trace Gases and Products
Trace Gases Data Access & Visualization
Review & Discussion 

Day 2

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

TopicMaterials
Q&A and Review of Day 1 
Aerosol Observations from Satellites: Theory and Existing Products
Download Level 2 Aerosol Data
Break 
Theoretical Basis for Converting Satellite Observations to Ground-Level PM2.5 Concentrations 
Conversion of Satellite Aerosol Measurements to PM2.5 Air Quality
Lunch 
Using Python Scripts to Read, Map, and Extract Aerosol Data 
Aerosol Products from Geostationary Satellites
Break 
Satellite-Based PM2.5 Datasets
Satellite-Based Estimations of Trace Gas Surface Concentrations/Emissions
Review and Discussion 

Day 3

Thursday, March 23, 2023

TopicMaterials
Q&A and Review of Days 1 and 2 
NASA Forecasts and the MERRA-2 Reanalysis
Break 
US EPA Remote Sensing Information Gateway (RSIG)
Capstone Notebook 
Lunch 
Tools and Resources for Case Studies
Case Study Analysis in Groups 
Break 
Case Study Presentations and Discussion 
Training Review and Feedback 

Citation

(2023). ARSET - NASA Air Quality-Focused Remote Sensing for EPA Applications. NASA Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET). https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/learn/trainings/nasa-air-quality-focused-remote-sensing-for-epa-applications

Details

Last Updated

Feb. 23, 2026

Published

March 21, 2023

Data Center/Project

Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET)
Modern Era Retrospective-analysis for Research and Applications 2 (MERRA-2)