Atmospheric Science

Atmospheric science is the study of the atmosphere and the processes that take place within it. It has traditionally been divided into three related but separate disciplines: climatology, meteorology, and aeronomy. Climatology focuses on the statistical analysis of changes within layers of the atmosphere for extended periods, ranging up to centuries long or more. Meteorology relates to the short-term changes in the conditions of the lower layers of the atmosphere. [Page 83]Aeronomy, in contrast, focuses on the changes and dynamic processes taking place within the upper layers of the atmosphere above the troposphere.

Topics within atmospheric science include the chemistry of the atmosphere, the radiative processes that determine the distribution of heat within the atmosphere, and the formation and behavior of clouds. Since a number of important indicators and effects of climate change and future climate change are observed within the atmosphere, scientists working in this field have become in some cases embroiled in controversy.

While there is a broad consensus among scientists as to the impact of global climate change and its interrelationship with the actions of man, there are some who disagree and some who, motivated by political or financial reasons, attempt to obfuscate the reality of scientific data. Atmospheric science contributes to the investigation by providing rigorous collection of data, interpretation of trends, and provision of a suitable context for understanding climatologic phenomena. Understanding of these phenomena is limited by the paucity of high-quality data sets for many parts of the world dating to more than a few decades ago. Trying to rectify this lack of data has led scientists to add new types of data to try to monitor atmospheric change in the past.

Atmospheric scientists have broadened the scope of the science to also include the study of the atmospheres of other planets and of aspects of planetary science in general. The improvements in computational and observational technologies have been of considerable importance in developing these fields of study. This is particularly true in the area of computer modeling of other planets, as well as the atmospheric change that may be taking place in the future. This form of modeling is very complex because the weather system is chaotic and subject to variables which are difficult to capture effectively. This complexity has facilitated the politicization of the subject because there are so many different arguments that can be made and which are difficult to refute without extensive data collection and analysis.