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Atmospheric Monitoring Instruments

Understanding the Atmosphere

Monitoring the atmosphere is essential for understanding the conditions that sustain human health, ecosystems, and agriculture. From the air inside a classroom or a greenhouse to the controlled environment of a space capsule or habitat, the composition and quality of the air we breathe has direct consequences for human health and well-being. Poor air quality can cause or worsen respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, affect crop health, and impact pollinators that agricultural systems depend on. Key atmospheric parameters include:

  • Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10)
  • Carbon dioxide (CO2) and other gas concentrations
  • Temperature and humidity
  • Barometric pressure

Monitoring these parameters gives scientists, educators, and citizens the information needed to understand local conditions, whether outdoors in the field, inside a building, or within the enclosed atmosphere of a space habitat, and to make informed decisions about health and the environment.

STELLA-AM: Making Atmospheric Science Accessible

The STELLA-AM instrument (Science and Technology Education for Land/Life Assessment – Atmosphere Monitor) is a low-cost, easy-to-build instrument that measures key atmospheric parameters including carbon dioxide, particulate matter, barometric pressure, temperature, humidity, magnetic field, and acceleration. As part of NASA’s STELLA project, the STELLA-AM puts atmosphere monitoring capabilities in the hands of students, educators, citizen scientists, and anyone curious about the air around them.

STELLA-AM

The STELLA-AM is a compact, affordable, and easy-to-build atmospheric monitoring instrument that measures carbon dioxide concentration, PM2.5 and PM10 particulates, barometric pressure, air temperature, humidity, 3-axis magnetic field, and 3-axis acceleration. All data are time-stamped and recorded to a micro-SD card in a standard CSV format for easy analysis.

The STELLA-AM takes CO2, magnetic field and particulate measurements.

Building this device does not require soldering.

Build a STELLA-AM

STELLA-AQ: Making Air Quality Science Accessible

The STELLA-AQ instrument (Science and Technology Education for Land/Life Assessment – Air Quality) is an innovative, low-cost solution that enables wide understanding of air quality monitoring. As part of NASA’s STELLA project, this DIY instrument brings environmental monitoring capabilities to students, educators, and citizen scientists.

STELLA-AQ

STELLA-AQ on a paint stick

The STELLA-AQ takes CO2, relative humidity and particulate measurements.

Building this device does not require 3D printing or soldering.

Build a STELLA-AQ

Key Features of STELLA-AQ

  • Affordability

  • Easy Assembly: Uses commercial off-the-shelf components with no soldering required

  • Comprehensive Measurements:

    • Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10)
    • Particle densities (μg/m³)
    • CO2 concentration (ppm)
    • Air temperature (°C)
    • Relative humidity (%)
    • Barometric pressure
    • Air Quality Index calculation for particulates

  • User-Friendly Operation: Simple interface with OLED display

  • Data Recording: Stores measurements on SD card with timestamps

  • Portable: Battery-powered with recharging capability

How STELLA-AQ Works

By building and using STELLA-AQ instruments, users gain valuable insights into air quality science, engineering principles, and data collection methodologies—the same fundamental concepts that underpin NASA’s Earth observation missions.