Monitoring methane emissions from the cosmos
In the global fight against climate change, the role of science in informing policy decisions is more crucial than ever. This is particularly true in the context of MethaneSAT, a satellite designed to accurately track methane emissions.
MethaneSAT, a groundbreaking innovation, collects data that is sent to scientists at Harvard University and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory for analysis. The satellite employs highly sensitive spectrometers operating in the shortwave infrared to detect methane concentrations as low as two parts per billion. By capturing sunlight reflected off the Earth’s surface and analyzing the absorption features specific to methane, these satellites can identify and map emission sources with high spatial resolution over large areas.
The data collected by MethaneSAT is invaluable. Governments and industries use this information to create policies or take steps to limit or reduce emissions. For instance, New Zealand scientists are looking for ways to reduce agricultural methane emissions, and satellite data will help researchers determine the effectiveness of approaches such as plantain research and low-methane sheep breeding.
Infrared detection, the principle behind MethaneSAT, hinges on the fact that methane uniquely absorbs infrared radiation at characteristic wavelengths. By measuring the intensity reduction or spectral shape changes in this radiation after interaction with methane-laden air, scientists can detect and quantify methane emissions across scales, from point sources to regional fluxes.
Other methods include the use of drone-mounted infrared cameras, ground-based and portable NDIR sensors, and airborne and manned aircraft equipped with spectroscopic sensors. These tools provide real-time visual detection of methane leaks at smaller scales and detailed methane emission mapping at high spatial resolution.
MethaneSAT can observe areas as small as 100 x 400 m and its measurements are precise. It can identify individual point sources such as gas pipeline leaks or large landfill sites, and track cumulative emissions across larger areas such as wetlands or agricultural areas. The satellite's Mission Operations Control Centre is located at the University of Auckland and collects and distributes the data.
Auckland University Professor David Noone and his team are working on refining the tracking technology used by MethaneSAT and validating the data it collects. New Zealand's unique geographical location allows scientists to measure methane coming into and out of the country for accurate methane inventory. The New Zealand Space Agency, part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, is the lead government agency for space policy, regulation, and sector development. They, along with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, provided funding for the production of this resource.
In scientific research, computer models are useful tools, but they must be tested for accuracy. This process is known as ground truthing. In New Zealand, scientists are using the data from MethaneSAT to create accurate models that differentiate local emissions from those produced elsewhere. The country's extensive knowledge of where and how many livestock are farmed and wetland emissions aids in the creation of these models.
Methane, while invisible to human eyes, can be detected by sensors that use infrared light. This makes satellites like MethaneSAT invaluable in the fight against climate change, allowing us to track methane emissions virtually anywhere on Earth.
The scientific analysis of data collected by MethaneSAT, a satellite that employs infrared detection to track methane emissions, is instrumental in the environmental science field, contributing to policy decisions regarding climate change and the environment. The satellite's data is utilized by various governments and industries to develop strategies for mitigating methane emissions, such as reducing agricultural emissions in New Zealand through initiatives like plantain research and low-methane sheep breeding. Furthermore, advances in technology, such as the refinement of MethaneSAT's tracking technology by Auckland University's Professor David Noone, continue to enhance our understanding of methane emissions and our ability to combat climate change.
