How a new NASA satellite could help solve the global temperature spike mystery

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on ABC News or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: 2024 was the hottest year on record, surpassing 2023, with scientists puzzled by the magnitude of the temperature spike
• While El Niño and global warming are key factors, researchers are investigating additional causes
• NASA’s PACE satellite, launched in 2024, may help uncover how atmospheric aerosols are influencing Earth's energy balance

🔭 The context: Aerosols—tiny particles in the atmosphere—can reflect sunlight and cool the planet, but pollution control efforts have drastically reduced their concentration
• Less aerosol pollution means more sunlight reaches Earth’s surface, potentially accelerating warming
• The PACE satellite will provide new data to help scientists understand how different aerosols absorb and scatter light, affecting climate trends

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The unexpectedly high 2024 temperature rise highlights potential gaps in climate models
• If aerosol reductions are a hidden driver of warming, it could reshape climate mitigation strategies
• Understanding aerosols better could improve future climate projections and policies

⏭️ What's next: NASA’s PACE satellite data has been available since April 2024 but is still undergoing verification
• Once fully operational, it will provide critical insights into atmospheric aerosols and their climate impact
• Scientists expect final validation later in 2025, potentially reshaping our understanding of global warming

💬 One quote: “For decades, we’ve been removing aerosols from our air without fully realizing the potential cascading effects of these actions.” – ABC News

📈 One stat: The level of greenhouse gases in 2024 reached the highest annual levels ever recorded on Earth

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