SEVERAL atmospheric scientists from the Manila Observatory will join experts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for four research flights to study air quality in Metro Manila and surrounding areas.

The flights are part of the ASIA-AQ partnership, involving NASA, DENR, the Philippine Space Agency, Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

The Philippine leg of the partnership is composed of the Manila Observatory, the University of the Philippines, and Ateneo de Manila University.

In a press release, DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga stated that the flights “will help improve air quality models, provide accurate forecasts, and develop effective policies to ensure better air quality in the future.”

Dr. James Bernard Simpas, Dr. Maria Obiminda Cambaliza, and Dr. Melliza Cruz from the Manila Observatory’s Air Quality Dynamics Laboratory will be part of the research team.

The remaining members of the Philippine team will consist of engineers from the DENR-Environment Management Bureau, including Engr. Brix Faustino, Engr. Billy William Franco, Engr. Zeur Aragones, and Engr. Chadbert Nikko Aquino.

Meanwhile, the contingent from NASA is composed of Dr. James Crawford, ASIA-AQ Lead Scientist at NASA Langley Research Center; Dr. Louisa Emmons, ASIA-AQ Forecasting Team Lead at the National Center for Atmospheric Research; and team lead Dr. Barry Lefer, NASA Tropospheric Composition Program Scientist.

“The four flights are scheduled to take place between 11 and 15 February aboard two aircraft employed by ASIA-AQ: a Gulfstream III and a Douglas DC-8 that NASA will be operating out of Clark, Pampanga,” Ateneo said in a separate statement.