Extreme Paris air temperature recorded from space as Europe boils in heatwave
ECOSTRESS data visualisations revealed large swathes of Paris, including the area around the Eiffel Tower, where surface temperatures exceeded 27C even before 7 am, depicted in dark red on the thermal maps.
ECOSTRESS data helps track plant health, wildfires, land surface temperatures, and heat risks from surfaces like asphalt. (Photo: Nasa)
ECOSTRESS, the Ecosystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station, measures thermal infrared emissions from Earth's surface, providing scientists with detailed information about land surface temperatures—often much hotter than the air temperatures reported in weather forecasts.The instrument, launched to the International Space Station in 2018, is designed to monitor plant health, wildfire progression, and the risks posed by hot surfaces like asphalt to human populations.The persistent heat in Paris highlights the city's vulnerability to the urban heat island effect, where concrete and asphalt absorb and radiate heat, making cities significantly hotter than surrounding rural areas.This effect is particularly concerning as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of heat waves across Europe.ECOSTRESS's high-resolution data is crucial for understanding how cities like Paris respond to extreme heat and for developing strategies to mitigate future risks. Managed by Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the mission continues to provide valuable insights into the impacts of climate change on urban environments and ecosystems.- EndsTrending Reel
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