Pollution drops dramatically over China during coronavirus outbreak, NASA images show

CHINA — New graphics released by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) show significantly less pollution over parts of China that have been hard-hit by coronavirus.

Pollution monitoring satellites have detected significant decreases in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the atmosphere.

NASA said the change is at least partially related to the economic slowdown kicked off by the spread of the deadly virus.

Chinese officials shut down transportation and businesses starting at the end of January. Notrious dioxide is a gas that is emitted by vehicles, power plants and industrail facilities.

The map on the left shows NO2 values across China from Jan. 1 - 20. The image on the left shows the same area from February 10 - 25, during the quarantine.

NASA scientists said the reduction in pollution started over Wuhan but has since spread across the country.

“This is the first time I have seen such a dramatic drop-off over such a wide area for a specific event,” said Fei Liu, an air quality researcher at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. “I am not surprised because many cities nationwide have taken measures to minimize spread of the virus.”

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