O monitoring of volcanic activity gained a new device in this very important role: the NACHOS, an instrument developed by NASA. For this work, the device has a compact hyperspectral technology camera, which guarantees that phase sources are quickly located. With that, it will be much easier to be able to predict and follow a volcanic eruption, and all this through a small device.
Read more: Where exactly is the Tesla Roadster launched into space by Elon Musk?
see more
Invest in luxury: LV, Prada and more from R$50 at auction
Mystery: Discovering the function of balls in high voltage wires
The name NACHOS actually stands for “Nanosat Atmospheric Chemistry Hyperspectral Observation System”. But something about the device, in addition to its suggestive name, also draws the attention of the scientific community, which is its size.
And it's no wonder, since the NACHOS has everything to be the smallest atmospheric gas monitor ever made. On the other hand, its resolution is also record-breaking, so that the cameras are able to capture small and hitherto imperceptible gas sources.
With this device, gases such as nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide can be detected more easily. After all, even dormant volcanoes can release SO2 (sulfur dioxide) before any earthquake is noticeable. That is, in this way, it will be possible to offer a much more accurate and faster forecast.
This should be just the beginning of how this instrument works, which also intends to work with air monitoring. Through it, it will be possible to carry out studies on the consequences of carbon emissions in space and also here on Earth.
For example, there is an interest in knowing even more about how the burning of fossil fuels negatively affects our health. Not to mention that this data can be very important for designing repair and prevention strategies. Therefore, it is a big step towards advancing the study of human life and environmental issues. But, for now, the device for monitoring volcanic activity still has no scheduled launch date.
