NASA has launched a satellite that will measure carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, locate sources, and identify absorption areas.

"2 engine start,1,0, liftoff of the Delta-2 rocket with OCO-2" [ Via NASA]

NASA has launched a satellite that will measure carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, locate sources, and identify absorption areas.

The goal of the mission is to better understand how greenhouse gasses travel across the globe and how they affect the climate.

At present, carbon dioxide levels are at their highest point in 800 thousand years.

Since the Industrial Revolution they’ve nearly doubled and are now measured at 400 parts per million.

Researchers say that this increase has been brought about by human activity, and people are largely responsible for the 40 billion tons of CO2 that enter the air annually.

The satellite will orbit the planet, revisiting locations once every 16 days. Along the way it will take readings at a rate of 24 per second.


"We are trying to think what's going to happen in 50 years. That's really what drives us to change our behavior." [Via NASA]