Overview

Carbon dioxide and methane are two trace gases that trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere. They have distinct absorption features in the shortwave infrared (1800-2500nm) that permit the detection and mapping of point source gas emissions with EMIT data.

Trace Gas Mapping

Identifying emission sources offers the potential to improve our understanding of emissions and our ability to mitigate them. For example, industrial operators can locate and fix leaks that are both expensive and environmentally damaging, providing a win-win opportunity. These data can also identify opportunities for capturing methane to be flared or converted to fuel resources. In keeping with our open science and open data policy, EMIT will share methane and carbon dioxide emissions detections allowing the public to utilize the data as they see fit.