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Description

Satellite remote sensing of particulate matter for air quality applications has advanced over the past decade. Many methods, data, and tools have been developed by various groups around the world to convert satellite retrieved aerosol properties into surface level particulate matter mass concentrations for air quality monitoring.  Data from several satellites are currently being used for a wide range of air quality applications for both research and operational purposes.

Through a combination of presentations from experts in the field and hands on exercises, this advanced webinar series will cover specific details on datasets, available tools, and various methods used to address particulate matter air quality.

Prerequisites

Objectives

Attendees will be able to: 

  • Estimate PM2.5 mass concentration at surface level while using satellite derived aerosol optical depth (AOD) at visible wavelength
  • Perform long term air quality trend analysis
  • Analyze air quality events

Target Audience

Individuals in local, regional, state, federal, and international organizations, NGOs, and other applied professionals interested in air quality.

Course Format

  • Four 1-hour sessions
  • The live course featured a virtual conference where attendees presented mini-projects.

Sessions

Part 1: Overview and Intro to Remote Sensing of Aerosols

Thursday, Oct. 01, 2015

An introduction to the ARSET program, MODIS, MISR, OMI, and LAADSweb.

Materials

  • Part 1 presentation slides
  • Part 1 homework assignment

 

Part 2: Introduction to Particulate Matter Air Quality from Space

Thursday, Oct. 08, 2015

An overview of the basics of the PM-AOD relationships, and some simple methods and python tools to read MODIS data.

Materials

  • Part 2 presentation slides
  • Part 2 homework assignment

Part 3: Advanced Statistical Modeling, Featuring Guest Speaker Yang Liu

Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015

An overview of statistical methods to estimate particulate matter at surface level, as well as statistical tools.

Materials

  • Part 3 presentation slides
  • Part 3 homework assignment

Part 4: Scaling Approach Using CT Models & Applications, Featuring Guest Speaker Randall Martin

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015

A look at combining the strength of satellite observations and a chemical transport model to estimate surface particulate matter for health exposure studies. 

Materials

  • Part 4 presentation slides

Self-Paced Project

Complete a mini-project.

  • Project Guidelines

Citation

Gupta, P.; Prados, A.; Liu, Y.; Martin, R. (2015). Satellite Remote Sensing of Particulate Matter Air Quality. NASA Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET). https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/learn/trainings/satellite-remote-sensing-particulate-matter-air-quality 

Details

Last Updated

March 2, 2026

Published

March 2, 2026

Data Center/Project

Applied Remote Sensing Training Program (ARSET)