Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research (GESTAR) II

For the leaf peepers: How NASA’s PACE is improving fall color forecasts

Jun 12, 2026 • By Sarah Hansen, M.S. '15

UMBC researchers are using NASA’s PACE satellite to map fall colors by tracking changes in leaf pigments like chlorophyll, anthocyanins, and carotenoids. The new method provides more precise timing of peak autumn color than traditional indices, with applications for tourism, monitoring plant stress, and understanding climate impacts.