NASA’s first spacecraft dedicated to studying carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere — the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 — is in final preparations for a July 1 launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Carbon dioxide is a critical component of Earth’s carbon cycle and is the leading human-produced greenhouse gas driving changes in Earth’s climate.
LIVE OCO-2 BRIEFING AT 2PM ET TODAY ON NASA TVhttp://www.nasa.gov/nasatv
At approximately 400 parts per million, atmospheric carbon dioxide is at a higher level than ever before in recorded history. But less than half the carbon dioxide emitted into Earth’s atmosphere by human activities stays there, while the rest is absorbed by the ocean and natural land "sinks." Scientists hope the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 will help resolve the longstanding scientific puzzle of where this carbon is going.
To learn more about OCO-2, visit: www.nasa.gov/oco2
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