Videos

Global visualization of OCO-2 and OCO-3 SIF

Global visualization of OCO-2 and OCO-3 SIF

Animation showing the global sampling patterns of SIF from OCO-2 and OCO-3 from August 2019 to July 2023

Global visualization of OCO-2 and OCO-3 XCO2

Global visualization of OCO-2 and OCO-3 XCO₂

Animation showing the global sampling patterns of XCO2 from OCO-2 and OCO-3 from August 2019 to July 2023

CO2 from the Rooftops

CO₂ from the Rooftops

Meet the students in this video helping NASA's OCO-2 and OCO-3 collect data from the roof, and learn about how they got there in the first place.

Are efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions working? How would we know?

Are efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions working? How would we know?

How much do emissions actually fall when we make these efforts? It's tough to calculate. So NASA is working on another way to do it - from space, with the help of OCO-2 and OCO-3.

Global visualization of OCO-2 and OCO-3 XCO2

Global visualization of OCO-2 and OCO-3 XCO₂

Animation showing the global sampling patterns of XCO2 from OCO-2 and OCO-3 from August 2019 to June 2023

Global visualization of OCO-2 and OCO-3 SIF

Global visualization of OCO-2 and OCO-3 SIF

Animation showing the global sampling patterns of SIF from OCO-2 and OCO-3 from August 2019 to June 2023.

¿Están cambiando los sumideros de carbono de la Tierra?

¿Están cambiando los sumideros de carbono de la Tierra?

Nuestra planeto se está calentando. ¿Cómo pueden ayudarnos los árboles?

Are Earth's carbon sinks changing?

Are Earth's carbon sinks changing?

NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) missions have found that carbon sinks might be changing.

CO2 and NO2 over a Cluster of Point Sources

CO₂ and NO₂ over a Cluster of Point Sources

This animation shows OCO-3 Snapshot Area Map observations of carbon dioxide over a background map of nitrogen dioxide from TROPOMI for the Highveld region in South Africa.

A Satellite View of CO2 over Paris

A Satellite View of CO₂ over Paris

NASA's satellites have their eyes on many cities around the globe, including Paris.

CO2 and the City: Winter Solstice Edition

CO₂ and the City: Winter Solstice Edition

Did you know that over 70% of human-caused carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions come from cities? On the Winter Solstice 2021, NASA captured elevated concentrations over Baton Rouge.

CO2 and the City: New Years Edition

CO₂ and the City: New Years Edition

It’s New Years Eve, and NASA has its “eyes” on CO₂ in the city.

SpaceX interview with Annmarie Eldering

SpaceX interview with Annmarie Eldering

On April 23rd, prior to the SpaceX launch of Crew-2 mission to the ISS, Dr. Annmarie Eldering gave an interview describing the OCO-3 mission.

Webinar: Human Impacts on the Atmosphere as Revealed by COVID-19

Webinar: Human Impacts on the Atmosphere as Revealed by COVID-19

Changes in energy use, transportation, and manufacturing during the coronavirus pandemic can be connected to changes in air quality and emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. Panelists will discuss experiences.

Looking Home: OCO-3 and Science from the ISS (Live Public Talk)

Looking Home: OCO-3 and Science from the ISS (Live Public Talk)

From its perch on the International Space Station, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory 3 (OCO-3), along with a suite of Earth-observing instruments, will improve our understanding of the interaction between carbon and climate. By mapping carbon dioxide over l

OCO- A Lesson in Resilience

OCO- A Lesson in Resilience

Leading a mission to space is a rare and challenging experience, with high highs and low lows. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Project Manager Ralph Basilio revisits the original OCO launch and shares what it’s like to recover after a lost mission, why studying our home planet is so important, and why he'll never give up hope for the future.

Watching the Earth Breathe from the International Space Station

Watching the Earth Breathe from the International Space Station

In May 2019, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-3 (OCO-3) was installed on the International Space Station (ISS). A follow-on to the still-active OCO-2 mission, OCO-3 will bring not only a new vantage point but new techniques and new technologies to NASA'

OCO-3 Mission Promo Video

OCO-3 Mission Promo Video

This is short overview of the OCO-3 mission with music and wording that played in the JPL High Bay during testing. The video is 1:29 in length.

OCO-3 Pointing Mirror Assembly (PMA) over Los Angeles

OCO-3 Pointing Mirror Assembly (PMA) over Los Angeles

This animation depicts how the Pointing Mirror Assembly (PMA) moves as it is flown on the International Space Station (ISS). The right hand side is the direction that the ISS would be flying and the arm movement is at 2X the normal functioning speed.

NASA’s OCO-3: A New View of Carbon (mission overview)

NASA’s OCO-3: A New View of Carbon (mission overview)

This video is an overview of the OCO-3 mission with interviews with the project manager, Dr. Ralph Basilio and project scientist Dr. Annmarie Eldering.

OCO-2 Measures Plant Photosynthesis (09/2014 - 09/2015)

OCO-2 Measures Plant Photosynthesis (09/2014 - 09/2015)

This animation is a global visualization of the light released by plants during photosynthesis. It's based on the first year of solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) measurements (Sept. 2014 – Sept. 2015) from NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 mission.

OCO-2: A Breathing Planet, Off Balance

OCO-2: A Breathing Planet, Off Balance

NASA scientists are researching the movement of carbon through the atmosphere, ocean, and plant life to better understand how, and for how long, the Earth can continue to absorb half of all carbon emissions.

Keeping an Eye on Photosynthesis...from Space!

Keeping an Eye on Photosynthesis...from Space!

How can OCO-2 help us keep track of plant activity? By detecting solar-induced fluorescence!

The Not-So-Brief History of Climate Change Science

The Not-So-Brief History of Climate Change Science

Global warming may seem like a recent challenge, but the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 mission joins a long tradition of investigation into our planet's changing climate.

A Year in the Life of Earth's CO2

A Year in the Life of Earth's CO₂

An ultra-high-resolution NASA computer model has given scientists a stunning new look at how carbon dioxide in the atmosphere travels around the globe.

Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2): NASA's New Carbon Counter

Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2): NASA's New Carbon Counter

NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2, launching July 2014, will study carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and help us understand how fast it will build up in the future.

Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2: NASA's New Carbon Sleuth

Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2: NASA's New Carbon Sleuth

Published on May 16, 2014. NASA's OCO-2 mission will shed new light on understanding carbon and its role in our planet's future.

OCO-2 and the Missing Carbon Mystery

OCO-2 and the Missing Carbon Mystery

There's a problem with our global carbon budget...but OCO-2 will soon be on the case!

OCO-2 and the Carbon Story

OCO-2 and the Carbon Story

There's still a lot we know don't know about the processes that control the rise of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and what role they might play in our changing climate.