Atmospheric Aerosols

Ozone depletion, through halogen-related chemistry, is facilitated by increased stratospheric particles as provided by stratospheric clouds in the polar regions and globally by volcanic eruptions. A new major eruption such as that could decrease total stratospheric ozone by as much as another 10%. In order to study the aerosol-ozone interaction, new modeling tools are needed like Atmospheric clean-up machines.

Aurora Borealis:
Can Chemicals In Space Be Seen?

The Aurora Borealis appears in different colors and shapes - rays, glows, curtains and pulsating patches that cover the night sky. The best viewing usually occurs on a clear, dark night and may follow temperature fluctuations.

The northern lights are a spectacular natural phenomenon. Many are the result of solar winds. More likely these events are the result of charged particles ejected by the sun contacting particles in earth's atmosphere. Yet others defy the evidence that they are caused by solar winds. The earth is constantly immersed in the solar wind, hot plasma gas emitted by the sun. The solar wind usually reaches Earth with high velocity. The solar corona, the sun's outermost layer, can reach heat of a million-degrees, but when the sun spots, a rare flow of free electrons and positive ions are propelled away from the sun. While it is impossible to accurately predict their appearance, the best chance to see them is in the spring and fall.