Images
September 27, 2026 - Aerosols Over Pakistan
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Heavy haze covered northern Pakistan in late September 2026, covering the skies in shades of gray. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite acquired this true-color image on September 24.
Small particles suspended in the atmosphere, which are known as aerosols, create the gray-colored haze. Aerosols in this region come from many sources, including smoke from fires that are used to manage crops in this rich agricultural region. At times, influxes of dust from the Thar Desert to the west contribute to the aerosol burden. An array of human-caused sources of air pollution may also add to the haze, such as motor vehicle emissions, industrial and construction activity, fireworks, and fires for heating and cooking.
Cool weather can create temperature inversion which exacerbate poor air quality. Temperature inversions are common in cold weather as cold air rolls off the Tibetan Plateau and mixes with the smoky air below. An inversion can function like a lid, with warm air trapping pollutants near the surface.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 9/24/2026
Resolutions:
1km (711.9 KB), 500m (1.9 MB), 250m (1.3 MB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
Heavy haze covered northern Pakistan in late September 2026, covering the skies in shades of gray. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite acquired this true-color image on September 24.
Small particles suspended in the atmosphere, which are known as aerosols, create the gray-colored haze. Aerosols in this region come from many sources, including smoke from fires that are used to manage crops in this rich agricultural region. At times, influxes of dust from the Thar Desert to the west contribute to the aerosol burden. An array of human-caused sources of air pollution may also add to the haze, such as motor vehicle emissions, industrial and construction activity, fireworks, and fires for heating and cooking.
Cool weather can create temperature inversion which exacerbate poor air quality. Temperature inversions are common in cold weather as cold air rolls off the Tibetan Plateau and mixes with the smoky air below. An inversion can function like a lid, with warm air trapping pollutants near the surface.
Image Facts
Satellite:
Terra
Date Acquired: 9/24/2026
Resolutions:
1km (711.9 KB), 500m (1.9 MB), 250m (1.3 MB)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit:
MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
