NASA Satellite Sees Air Pollution Drop Over Northeastern US Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
By Samantha Mathewson

Space.com – April 10, 2020 | NASA satellite data revealed significant reductions in air pollution over major metropolitan areas of the Northeast United States as people reduce travel during the pandemic spread by the new coronavirus.

Data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument on NASA’s Aura satellite shows less air pollution over the Northeast United States in March 2020 compared to average values for the month of March between 2015 and 2019.
(Image: © NASA)

Many states across the U.S. have implemented lockdowns and shelter-in-place orders in response to the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA’s Aura satellite shows a substantial drop in atmospheric nitrogen dioxide, a harmful substance emitted from burning fossil fuels for transportation and electricity generation, according to a statement from NASA.