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Description

In August 2017, Washington state registered as having the worst air quality in the U.S. as a result of smoke (according to the Dept. of Ecology, Washington State). Fires, smoke, and dust can all contribute to poor air quality that can affect vulnerable populations. 

NASA satellite data can be used to model, monitor, and track regional air quality. This training helped attendees become familiar with available satellite data, products, and tools, and how to apply them to identify, track, and measure an air quality event. This training was hosted in partnership with the U.S. EPA - Region 10, Seattle, WA, and the U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Seattle, WA

Date

July 10-12, 2018

Location

Seattle, Washington

Prerequisites

Objectives

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

  • Evaluate an air quality event in a case study, incorporating data portals, visualization tools, and satellite data
  • Describe specific data products and online tools, as well as their applications, including data from MODIS, OMI, VIIRS, CALIPSO, GOES-16, Worldview, IDEA, and Giovanni
  • Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the data products and tools discussed.

Audience

This training is primarily intended for air quality professionals and decision makers from local, state, tribal, and federal agencies, NGOs, and the private sector.

Course Format

  • Three-day in-person training

Sessions

Day One

Tuesday, July 10, 2018
TopicMaterials
Registration and Logistics 
NASA ARSET Program OverviewNASA ARSET Program Overview (PDF, 9.9 MB)
Satellite Imagery Access, Interpretation, and Tools for Dust, Smoke, and Pollution Monitoring

Satellite Imagery Access, Interpretation, and Tools for Dust, Smoke, and Pollution Monitoring (PDF, 12.9 MB)

Earth Observatory and Worldview Exploration (PDF, 3.0 MB)

Fundamentals of Remote SensingFundamentals of Remote Sensing (PDF, 3.5 MB)
Satellite-Based Fire Products: Methods, Data, Access, and Applications

Satellite-Based Fire Products: Methods, Data, Access, and Applications (PDF, 7.1 MB)

Fire Detection: Data Access & Analysis - FIRMS Exercise (PDF, 11.7 MB)

Smoke Monitoring from SpaceSmoke Monitoring from Space (PDF, 10.3 MB)
Aerosol Observations from Satellites: Brief Theory & Existing Products

Aerosol Observations from Satellites: Brief Theory & Existing Products (PDF, 27.8 MB)

MODIS Data Exercise (PDF, 1.3 MB)

Near Real-Time Data Access: Images, Figures, and AerosolsNear Real-Time Data Access: Images, Figures, and Aerosols (PDF, 3.0 MB)
Remote Sensing of Trace Gases and Products

Remote Sensing of Trace Gases and Products (PDF, 24.1 MB)

Giovanni Exercise (PDF, 30.3 MB)

Day Two

Wednesday, July 11, 2018
TopicTitle and Presentation Slides
Validation and Evaluation of Satellite-Derived AOD

Validation and Evaluation of Satellite-Derived AOD (PDF, 7.9 MB)

MAPSS Exercise (PDF, 2.5 MB)

Theoretical Basis for Converting Satellite Observations to Ground-Level PM2.5 ConcentrationsTheoretical Basis for Converting Satellite Observations to Ground-Level PM2.5 Concentrations (PDF, 9.7 MB)
Conversion of Satellite Aerosol Measurements to PM2.5 Air Quality

Conversion of Satellite Aerosol Measurements to PM2.5 Air Quality (PDF, 4.8 MB)

Excel Spreadsheet for Exercise (XLSX, 19.3 KB)

Satellite Based PM2.5 Datasets and Access

Satellite Based PM2.5 Datasets and Access (PDF, 23.5 MB)

Python Exercise Instructions (PDF, 14.1 MB)

Aerosol Products from Geostationary Satellites

Aerosol Products from Geostationary Satellites (PDF, 42.2 MB)

Geostationary Data Exercise (PDF, 3.9 MB)

Overview of CALIPSO and CATSOverview of CALIPSO and CATS (PDF, 68 MB)

Day Three

Thursday, July 12, 2018
TopicTitle and Presentation Slides
Air Quality Forecasting and MERRA-2 ReanalysisAir Quality Forecasting and MERRA-2 Reanalysis (PDF, 11.3 MB)
Additional Tools & Resources for Case Studies 
Case Study Analysis in Groups 
Case Study Presentations and Discussion 

Citation

(2018). ARSET - Satellite Remote Sensing of Dust, Fires, Smoke, and Air Quality. NASA Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET). https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/learn/trainings/satellite-remote-sensing-dust-fires-smoke-air-qualit 

Details

Last Updated

Feb. 27, 2026

Published

July 10, 2018

Data Center/Project

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