Articles | Volume 19, issue 18
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-6099-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-6099-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Global variability in the detectability of power plant NO2 plumes from space
Ruizhe Huang
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
Sherrie Wang
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Short summary
We analyzed satellite observations of over 6000 power plants worldwide to determine when their nitrogen dioxide plumes are visible from space. Using machine learning, we found that detectability depends not only on the amount emitted but also on wind, terrain elevation, surface brightness, and satellite viewing angle. Identical emissions can therefore be seen or missed depending on local conditions. Accounting for these factors can improve satellite-based estimates of air pollution.
We analyzed satellite observations of over 6000 power plants worldwide to determine when their...