SAO launches TEMPO air pollution monitoring device

Secretary Bunch announces the launch of TEMPO, another breakthrough from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

Early this morning (Friday, April 7), scientists at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory watched their scientific instrument, TEMPO, successfully lift off into space. This will be the first instrument to scan our continent hourly for air pollution, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of what is in the air we breathe. 

TEMPO will detect air pollution at its source and track it as it moves across the continent with detail down to the neighborhood level, enabling researchers to measure how air pollution is impacting different communities. This will help the 137 million Americans who, according to the American Lung Association, live in areas with poor air quality. This includes the many in historically marginalized communities and low-income populations that are disproportionally affected by air pollution.

SAO is actively developing programs that will give students and the public access to TEMPO data. Our vision is to put TEMPO data and tools into action to empower people to answer questions about air quality in their communities and help bring positive change where it is needed most. 

This extraordinary endeavor began more than a decade ago when Smithsonian astrophysicist Kelly Chance and colleagues first proposed the mission to NASA. I want to congratulate Kelly and the many scientists, engineers and administrative staff at SAO who have contributed to this exciting achievement.

Low-cost, high-yield, and immediately useful, TEMPO offers a huge return on investment compared to many historic space missions. The instrument will return critical air quality data from nearly day one.

If you would like further information about this extraordinary project, I encourage you to visit tempo.si.edu and view a recording of last night’s launch. 

I am proud to be a part of the Smithsonian every day, and especially on momentous days like this one. I look forward to the discoveries TEMPO will make in years to come.If you would like further information about this extraordinary project, I encourage you to visit tempo.si.edu.

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