by Ken Bell

This next month NASA will launch the last of its trinity of new EOS (Earth-Observing System) satellites, orbital laboratory Aura.

Aura will produce the most accurate and comprehensive data available on the condition of the earth’s atmosphere and its general state of health. It carries four distinct instruments, each intended to survey a different aspect of the earth’s atmosphere from the near-earth troposphere to the upper reaches of the stratosphere.

Aura joins two other satellites in the EOS series, Terra, which observes the land, and Aqua, which attends to earth’s water cycle.

Among other scientific questions of keen interest, Aura will be able to determine whether the earth’s ozone layer is recovering, evaluating the effectiveness of international agreements banning the production and release of chlorofluorocarbons.

Aura will also aid in understanding the role of greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere—in particular, it is hoped, leading us to a better understanding of the role of the most abundant and critical greenhouse gas of all, water vapor.

At present many of the dynamic interactions of ozone, water vapor, airborne aerosols and other particulate matter in the troposphere are poorly understood. Aura should contribute greatly to our understanding, not only increasing our scientific knowledge, but also elucidating issues related to such important policy debates as whether or not to ratify the Kyoto treaty on global warming.

For more information about Aura, check out NASA’s website at www.gsfc.nasa.gov.

–From the May 2004 Austin Review