NASA has released satellite imagery revealing thick haze stretching across northern and central India, illustrating how airborne particles and changing weather conditions can severely reduce visibility.
The image, captured October 21 by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer aboard NASA's Terra satellite, was published October 23.
It shows gray atmospheric haze obscuring much of west-central India, while sediment clouds the waters of the Gulf of Khambhat.
According to NASA, airborne aerosols originate from sources including dust, agricultural fires, industrial activity and vehicle emissions.
The situation becomes more severe when seasonal temperature inversions trap cooler air beneath warmer atmospheric layers, preventing pollutants from dispersing.
The observation highlights the importance of satellite technology for monitoring environmental changes. It also connects with advances in AI-assisted analysis of Earth observation imagery, which could help researchers examine environmental changes across large geographical areas.
Although the satellite image reveals the haze's extent, it does not independently establish ground-level pollutant concentrations or specific health impacts.