CLOUD, the cutting-edge physics experiment that will shed light on climate-related matters, has finished its assembly phase and is starting taking data using a beam of protons from the Proton Synchrotron.
In a study led by the University of Leeds, scientists have solved one of the most long-standing challenges in atmospheric science: to understand how particles are formed in the atmosphere.
The lead scientist on the study, Professor Ken Carslaw, from the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds, said: “This is a major milestone in our understanding of the atmosphere. The CERN experiment is unique, and it has produced data that seemed completely out of reach just five years ago.”
Clouds in the atmosphere consist of tiny droplets, which form when water condenses around small particles in the atmosphere called ‘aerosols’.
Understanding how aerosols are formed is therefore vital for understanding cloud formation — a process that has, until now, been an uncertain quantity in climate models, introducing problems for climate change projections.
For over 30 years, scientists have been able to build computer simulations of atmospheric gases based on measurements of chemical reaction rates made in a laboratory. This capability has been essential to our current understanding of the atmosphere, including the destruction of the ozone layer.
Until now, the same level of understanding has not been possible for aerosol particles in the atmosphere because of the enormous challenges involved in reliably measuring particle formation in a laboratory.
The CLOUD experiment can measure the ‘nucleation’ of new atmospheric particles – that is, when certain molecules in the atmosphere cluster together and grow to form new particles – in a specially designed chamber under extremely well controlled environmental conditions. Nucleation is important because, by current estimates, about half of all cloud droplets are formed on aerosol particles that were created in this way.
Professor Carslaw concludes: “These new results will give us much more confidence in how particles and clouds are handled in global climate models.”
Learn more: Researchers uncover origin of atmospheric particles
The Latest on: Atmospheric particles
via Google News
The Latest on: Atmospheric particles
- One of spring's top skygazing events is coming next week: The Eta Aquarid meteor showeron May 1, 2021 at 8:00 am
The Aquarid meteors are space dust from Halley's comet, and the forecast calls for the greatest number of meteors to fall before dawn on Wednesday.
- In a first, scientists map particle-laden rivers in the skyon April 30, 2021 at 6:44 am
Windy regions high in the atmosphere can transport pollutants like dust or soot thousands of miles around the world and disrupt everyday life for thousands of people.
- Microplastics ‘Spiral Around the Globe’ Through Air and Windon April 29, 2021 at 1:47 pm
A report published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows how microplastics are blown through the air around the globe, with unknown repercussions on human health, ...
- Lightning may be key to cleansing atmosphere of toxins, greenhouse gases, study sayson April 29, 2021 at 11:08 am
Hydroxyl radicals, which are "crucial" to the atmosphere's ability to cleanse itself, are directly produced by flashes of lightning.
- Lofted by NASA balloons, new experiments will study sun-Earth systemon April 29, 2021 at 6:14 am
A suite of scientific balloons is about to lift off from NASA's Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility's field site in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, carrying instruments that will help scientists understand ...
- How Extreme Temperature Swings in Deserts Stir Sand and Duston April 29, 2021 at 5:00 am
Understanding the movement of particles, some of which enter the atmosphere, may help scientists improve climate models and forecast dust storms on Mars ...
- Are marine microplastics now invading the atmosphere?on April 29, 2021 at 3:43 am
A new study has found that microplastics are being emitted into the atmosphere, mainly from roads, the ocean, and agricultural practices.
- Earth under solar storm warning, vital technology at risk of failureon April 29, 2021 at 3:34 am
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a geomagnetic storm warning for Earth, technology is at risk of failure.
- How Do Cosmic Particles Break The Universe’s Energy Limit?on April 28, 2021 at 11:00 pm
No matter how much energy you put into that particle, it will always move slower than light. But that doesn’t mean that particles can move as close to the speed of light as they want, unimpeded. The ...
via Bing News
