The Berkeley High Resolution (BEHR) Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) NO2 product uses information collected by satellite to produce high resolution maps of NO2 presence and activity in the troposphere, the lowest region of our atmosphere, which extends approximately 10km from the Earth’s surface.

Nitrous oxides (NO and NO2) are emitted through human activity (primarily motor vehicles and power plants) and play an important role in air quality, as they are toxic themselves and additionally play a major role in controlling the production of ozone and aerosols.

By measuring the daily fluctuations in NO2 we gain a better understanding of the sources and constraints of NO2 in daily human life. Through this understanding we can make better predictions regarding how human activity will contribute to future emissions, and consequently, how these emissions will affect air quality and climate change. This information can lead to more informed personal and policy decisions in the conversation about how to mitigate human driven climate change.