Aqua/AIRS Carbon Dioxide with Mauna Loa Carbon Dioxide Overlaid

[MRaverz]

What about the other layers of the atmosphere? How does the CO2 concentration change in them?

[TRUMPHENT]

@MRaverz  CO2 mixes thoroughly in the atmosphere. Top to bottom, pole to pole.

[MRaverz]

So this data applies to all layers? Not just the mid-troposphere?

[TRUMPHENT]

@MRaverz I defer to Dr. Chahine to answer that. AIRS was pressed into service to monitor CO2 when OCO failed to achieve orbit.

I don't believe that AIRS has the resolution or depth of field that the OCO satellite would have provided specifically for CO2. It still has a tremendous amount of useful data.

Get thee to the AIRS NASA website to learn more.

[pattyloof]

What makes the level go up and down like that?

[christophersj]

The winter/summer cycle. The making and rotting of seasonal vegetation.

[TRUMPHENT]

@pattyloof This replicates and verifies the Keeling Curve. Good stuff!

[MonsterLopes]

Scary. You can see it plain as day.