Aerology: The study of free atmosphere through its vertical extent. Deals with the chemistry and physical reactions that occur within the various atmospheric layers.Tends to be coupled with meteorology.
Aerosol: Particulate matter suspended in the air. Includes soil particles, smoke residue, ocean salt, bacteria, seeds, spores, volcanic ash, and meteoric particles. Amount decreases with altitude. Solid particles serve as nuclei for condensation of water vapor and are necessary for precipitation.
Climatology: Study of atmospheric conditions over periods of time measured in years or longer. Includes study of the kinds of weather that occur in a place. (Both frequent types of weather, and anomalous weather)
Heterosphere: The upper-part of the atmosphere where the gases are no longer uniformly mixed. The gases stratify according to molecular weight. (Hydrogen layer, helium layer, oxygen layer, nitrogen layer)
Homosphere: The lower-part of the atmosphere where the gases are uniformly mixed.
Mesopause: The upper-limit of the of mesosphere. Up to here, the gases are uniformly mixed and are part of the homosphere.
Mesosphere: From about 48 km up to 80 km. Temperature declines with altitude. Above the stratosphere, and below the layer of nitrogen.
Meteorology: Deals with motion and phenomena of the atmosphere. Used to forecast weather and explain the processes involved. Tends to be more focused on the short term.
Radiosondes: Balloon-carrying instruments released into the atmosphere at the same time to simultaneously gather atmospheric conditions.
Standard Atmosphere: Model that represents the atmosphere with all the forces governing it in balance. Has a period of moderate solar activity, and a defined amount of chemistry, temperature, pressure, density, etc.
Stratopause: Upper boundary of the stratosphere.
Stratosphere: Above the tropopause. Relatively stable and dry, little vertical motion. Temperature at the top of the stratosphere is about the same as towards the bottom of it.
Tropopause: Marks upper reaches of troposphere, and the upper limit for most turbulent mixing from the surface. Also the upper limit for most moisture in the atmosphere & becomes significantly colder. (Warm air “holds” more moisture)
Troposphere: Lowest layer. Made up of the upper and lower troposphere.
Lower troposphere goes up to 3 km above the surface. It is the layer most affected by daily surface changes, since it has the most friction between the Earth and the atmosphere. It can have temperature inversions, where temperature increases with heat instead.
Upper troposphere goes up to 11 km. Primary changes here are from seasonal changes in energy, and secondary circulation (atmospheric storms). Air pressure decreases with height (which is the trend for the atmosphere in general).
World Meteorological Organization (WMO): Located in Geneva, Switzerland. International agency responsible for worldwide climactic data.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): The international body for assessing the science related to climate change. The IPCC was set up in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). IPCC assessments provide a scientific basis for governments at all levels to develop climate related
policies.
