NASA aircraft flies low over Chicago, NW Indiana collecting air quality data

A NASA DC-8 jet makes low passes over the Chicago area on Tuesday collecting data on urban emissions and their effect on air quality and climate. (Courtesy of Willie Gillespie)

A NASA aircraft studying air quality and pollution flew at a low altitude Tuesday morning and afternoon across parts of Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

The aircraft, a four-engine DC-8 jet, took off from Dayton, Ohio, about 9:50 a.m. and passed through Chicago, surrounding suburbs and parts of Northwest Indiana, according to FlightAware, the aircraft tracking app.