IAP’s activities to explore the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) is rooted in long-standing questions concerning fundamental physical processes that are different from or coexist with those that dominate in the lower or upper atmosphere and ionosphere. Scientific challenges in this region are the co-existence of hydro- , thermo- and electrodynamic processes and other physical peculiarities, which require the combination of different disciplines.
By developing dedicated physical understanding and running analyses of long-term time series of data and models, IAP’s research makes scientific contributions to quantify anthropogenic influences and to understand its interplay with solar radiation variability and atmospheric dynamics.
IAP dedicates its work to the following three overarching research themes:
- Exploration of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere
- Coupling of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere to atmospheric layers below and above
- Long-term changes in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere, and adjacent regions
Each of IAP’s subdivisions, “Optical Soundings and Sounding Rockets”, “Radar Remote Sensing” and “Modelling of Atmospheric Processes”, contribute to these research themes with dedicated experimental and analytical tools. A particular strength of IAP is to investigate the MLT using its combined expertise in observation, analysis, and modelling through active cross-departmental collaboration. IAP operates two large observational facilities in Northern Norway and in Northern Germany with a high international reputation. In Northern Norway, the ALOMAR site on the island Andøya includes lidars and radars with unique capabilities like daylight capable lidars, and 4D capable radars. IAP develops sounding rocket concepts and flies multi-parameter instruments in coordinated rocket launches at Andøya Space, complementing the data acquisitions of ground-based instruments. In northern Germany, i.e., Kühlungsborn and Juliusruh, combined facilities include sophisticated lidars and radars; as well as the only ionosonde in Germany with the longest ionospheric time series in Europe. Remote sensing ground-based lidars and radars as well as scientific rocket campaigns remain unrivalled tools to access the MLT. In recent years, mobile portable instruments (lidars and radars) have been deployed and operated on short- and long-term campaigns, in scientific hotspots worldwide.
