Atmospheric sciences

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Atmospheric sciences
Atmospheric sciences
Atmospheric physics
Atmospheric dynamics (category)
Atmospheric chemistry (category)
Meteorology
Weather (category) (portal)
Tropical cyclone (category)
Climatology
Climate (category)
Climate change (category)
Global warming (category) (portal)
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Atmospheric sciences is an umbrella term for the study of the atmosphere, its processes, the effects other systems
have on the atmosphere, and the effects of the atmosphere on these other systems. Meteorology includes atmospheric
chemistry and atmospheric physics with a major focus on weather forecasting. Climatology is the study of
atmospheric changes (both long and short-term) that define average climates and their change over time, due to both
natural and anthropogenic climate variability. Aeronomy is the study of the upper layers of the atmosphere, where
dissociation and ionization are important. Atmospheric science has been extended to the field of planetary science
and the study of the atmospheres of the planets of the solar system.
Experimental instruments used in atmospheric sciences include satellites, rocketsondes, radiosondes, weather
balloons, and lasers.
The term aerology (from Greek , ar, "air"; and -, -logia) is sometimes used as an alternative term for the
study of Earth's atmosphere. Early pioneers in the field include Lon Teisserenc de Bort and Richard Assmann.
[2]
Atmospheric sciences
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Atmospheric chemistry
Main article: Atmospheric chemistry
Atmospheric chemistry is a branch of atmospheric
science in which the chemistry of the Earth's
atmosphere and that of other planets is studied. It is a
multidisciplinary field of research and draws on
environmental chemistry, physics, meteorology,
computer modeling, oceanography, geology and
volcanology and other disciplines. Research is
increasingly connected with other areas of study such
as climatology.
The composition and chemistry of the atmosphere is of
importance for several reasons, but primarily because
of the interactions between the atmosphere and living
organisms. The composition of the Earth's atmosphere
has been changed by human activity and some of these
changes are harmful to human health, crops and ecosystems. Examples of problems which have been addressed by
atmospheric chemistry include acid rain, photochemical smog and global warming. Atmospheric chemistry seeks to
understand the causes of these problems, and by obtaining a theoretical understanding of them, allow possible
solutions to be tested and the effects of changes in government policy evaluated.
Atmospheric dynamics
See also: Synoptic scale meteorology
Atmospheric dynamics involves the study of observations and theory dealing with all motion systems of
meteorological importance. Common topics studied include diverse phenomena such as thunderstorms, tornadoes,
gravity waves, tropical cyclones, extratropical cyclones, jet streams, and global-scale circulations. The goal of
dynamical studies is to explain the observed circulations on the basis of fundamental principles from physics. The
objectives of such studies incorporate improving weather forecasting, developing methods for predicting seasonal
and interannual climate fluctuations, and understanding the implications of human-induced perturbations (e.g.,
increased carbon dioxide concentrations or depletion of the ozone layer) on the global climate.
[3]
Atmospheric physics
Main article: Atmospheric physics
Atmospheric physics is the application of physics to the study of the atmosphere. Atmospheric physicists attempt to
model Earth's atmosphere and the atmospheres of the other planets using fluid flow equations, chemical models,
radiation balancing, and energy transfer processes in the atmosphere and underlying oceans. In order to model
weather systems, atmospheric physicists employ elements of scattering theory, wave propagation models, cloud
physics, statistical mechanics and spatial statistics, each of which incorporate high levels of mathematics and
physics. Atmospheric physics has close links to meteorology and climatology and also covers the design and
construction of instruments for studying the atmosphere and the interpretation of the data they provide, including
remote sensing instruments.
In the United Kingdom, atmospheric studies are underpinned by the Meteorological Office. Divisions of the U.S.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) oversee research projects and weather modeling
involving atmospheric physics. The U.S. National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center also carries out studies of the
high atmosphere.
Atmospheric sciences
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The Earth's magnetic field and the solar wind interact with the atmosphere, creating the ionosphere, Van Allen
radiation belts, telluric currents, and radiant energy.
Climatology
Regional impacts of warm ENSO episodes (El Nio).
Main article: Climatology
In contrast to meteorology, which studies short term
weather systems lasting up to a few weeks, climatology
studies the frequency and trends of those systems. It
studies the periodicity of weather events over years to
millennia, as well as changes in long-term average
weather patterns, in relation to atmospheric conditions.
Climatologists, those who practice climatology, study
both the nature of climates local, regional or global
and the natural or human-induced factors that cause
climates to change. Climatology considers the past and
can help predict future climate change.
Phenomena of climatological interest include the
atmospheric boundary layer, circulation patterns, heat
transfer (radiative, convective and latent), interactions
between the atmosphere and the oceans and land
surface (particularly vegetation, land use and
topography), and the chemical and physical
composition of the atmosphere. Related disciplines
include astrophysics, atmospheric physics, chemistry, ecology, physical geography, geology, geophysics, glaciology,
hydrology, oceanography, and volcanology.
Atmospheres on other celestial bodies
Earth's atmosphere
All of the Solar System's planets have atmospheres. This is because their
gravity is strong enough to keep gaseous particles close to the surface. Larger
gas giants are massive enough to keep large amounts of the light gases
hydrogen and helium close by, while the smaller planets lose these gases into
space. The composition of the Earth's atmosphere is different from the other
planets because the various life processes that have transpired on the planet
have introduced free molecular oxygen. Much of Mercury's atmosphere has
been blasted away by the solar wind.
[4]
The only moon that has retained a
dense atmosphere is Titan. There is a thin atmosphere on Triton, and a trace
of an atmosphere on the Moon.
Planetary atmospheres are affected by the varying degrees of energy received from either the Sun or their interiors,
leading to the formation of dynamic weather systems such as hurricanes, (on Earth), planet-wide dust storms (on
Mars), an Earth-sized anticyclone on Jupiter (called the Great Red Spot), and holes in the atmosphere (on Neptune).
At least one extrasolar planet, HD 189733 b, has been claimed to possess such a weather system, similar to the Great
Red Spot but twice as large.
[5]
Hot Jupiters have been shown to be losing their atmospheres into space due to stellar radiation, much like the tails of
comets. These planets may have vast differences in temperature between their day and night sides which produce
Atmospheric sciences
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supersonic winds,
[6]
although the day and night sides of HD 189733b appear to have very similar temperatures,
indicating that planet's atmosphere effectively redistributes the star's energy around the planet.
Further information: See the individual articles on each planet or moon for information about their respective
atmospheres.
References
[1] http:/ / en. wikipedia. org/ w/ index. php?title=Template:Atmospheric_sciences& action=edit
[2] (http:/ / books.google.com/ books?id=OlckxY7BA_0C& pg=PA17& lpg=PA17& dq=Assman+ stratosphere& source=bl&
ots=YN13AEOnkN& sig=zwpdSVh0OW6UUToQoFzETgIudUc& hl=en& ei=H9feTuOkCYiQiAL4qfHPCA& sa=X& oi=book_result&
ct=result& resnum=6& sqi=2& ved=0CEwQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage& q=Assman stratosphere& f=false) Ultraviolet radiation in the solar
system By Manuel Vzquez, Arnold Hanslmeier
[3] University of Washington. Atmospheric Dynamics. (http:/ / www. atmos. washington. edu/ academic/ atmosdyn. html) Retrieved on 1 June
2007.
[4] Hunten D. M., Shemansky D. E., Morgan T. H. (1988), The Mercury atmosphere, In: Mercury (A89-43751 1991). University of Arizona
Press, pp. 562612
[5] (Related press release (http:/ / www. cfa. harvard. edu/ press/ 2007/ pr200713. html))
[6] (Related press release (http:/ / www. nasa. gov/ vision/ universe/ starsgalaxies/ spitzer-20061012. html))
External links
Atmospheric fluid dynamics applied to weather maps (http:/ / www. stuffintheair. com/ chasing-storms. html)
Principles such as Advection, Deformation and Vorticity
National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Archives, documents the history of the atmospheric sciences
(https:/ / www. archives. ucar. edu/ )
Article Sources and Contributors
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Article Sources and Contributors
Atmospheric sciences Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=614175757 Contributors: 216Kleopatra, A Voulgarakis, Ahmedfreebird, Ahoerstemeier, Barneca, Beland,
Bjankuloski06en, Br'er Rabbit, Charles Matthews, CurtisSwain, Daniel Collins, DavidH, Djr32, El C, Enric Naval, Epolk, Evolauxia, Fgnievinski, Flyer22, FrVladimir, Goser, Hard Raspy Sci,
IndulgentReader, Irenerejie, Isabelledeters, Itamblyn, JAn Dudk, Jason Patton, Jweiss11, Jxm, Karnesky, Lexor, Mananshah1, Mbeychok, Michael Hardy, Mysterytrey, N p holmes, NCAR
Archives, Nick683, Nicklott, Nithyanand, Pflatau, Pinethicket, RJHall, Rich Farmbrough, Rjwilmsi, Rossar, Shadowjams, Shizhao, SimonP, Thegreatdr, Timothy Clemans, Trappist the monk,
Vextron, Vsmith, Widr, Xnyper, Yk Yk Yk, Zach 08, Zinjixmaggir, 49 anonymous edits
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors
File:ShipTracks MODIS 2005may11.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:ShipTracks_MODIS_2005may11.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Liam Gumley,
Space Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
File:Atmosphere composition diagram.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Atmosphere_composition_diagram.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: Phillipe
Rekacewicz
File:El Nino regional impacts.gif Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:El_Nino_regional_impacts.gif License: Public Domain Contributors: NOAA
File:Top of Atmosphere.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Top_of_Atmosphere.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: NASA Earth Observatory
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