eoLab image showcased by Portuguese Space Agency

Tiny particles suspended in the atmosphere, known as atmospheric aerosols, play a crucial role in climate and weather conditions. Among these particles are desert dusts, such as those from the Sahara, which frequently reach Portugal, influencing various atmospheric processes.

Studying these aerosols is of paramount importance due to their impact on various aspects, including the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface and cloud formation. Desert dusts can affect visibility, air quality, and even precipitation patterns in Portugal, as recently evidenced by one of such events that took place in March 2024.

Understanding how aerosols interact with sunlight and clouds is essential for improving climate models and weather forecasts. This not only provides more accurate predictions but also contributes to safeguarding public health.

In this context, satellites from the Copernicus program, led by Europe, as well as others from our American partners play a crucial role in the continuous monitoring of aerosols in the global atmosphere. Their observations help understand the dynamics of these particles and provide essential data to understand their impact in Portugal and beyond.

Through continuous monitoring efforts and collaborative research, we can increase our understanding of atmospheric aerosols and their role in local and global climate systems. These advances are essential for addressing the challenges of climate change and protecting our environment and public health.

The image shows a Sentinel-2 image, processed at the eoLab and showcased by the Portuguese Space Agency (https://copernicusportugal.eu/). The ground photos were taken from the balcony of the Earth Sciences Department, in Coimbra, Portugal, where the eoLab is headquartered.