From the perspective of this satellite, the cold current of the Arctic vortex over North America

An instrument called Atmospheric Infrared Detector (AIRS) on Aqua satellite has been measuring air quality and temperature all over the United States. Aqua itself was launched in 2002 and equipped with six different instruments to study various parts of the water cycle, including evaporation, cloud formation and precipitation.

This air instrument focuses on temperature measurement and is a useful tool to study this week's cold weather and its causes. On June 30th, 65438, a satellite of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) observed that the cold Arctic air sneaked southward more frequently than usual.

Staring coldly at the United States in this week's polar vortex. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) The new instrument data visualization of NASA shows the measurement data collected during the period of 65438+1October 20th to 65438+1October 29th. Temperatures as low as MINUS 40 degrees Fahrenheit (MINUS 40 degrees Celsius) are shown in purple and can be seen extending to South Dakota, Iowa and northern Illinois. Light blue and "colder" colors mean that the temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) lower than the freezing point of water.

If you live in an area currently affected by this cold air, you must tighten your body and pay close attention to the local weather forecast until the cold subsides.

Please send an email to Megan bartels @ space or follow her @meghanbartels. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. An original article about space.