Atmospheric Physics and Climate Change

The following topics are discussed: Composition and structure of the atmosphere; thermodynamic processes and stability. Scattering, absorption and transmission of solar and thermal radiation; dependence on aerosols, clouds and other variable components; greenhouse and climate effects. Spectral measurements of atmospheric radiation; polarisation effects; monochromators, detectors and standards; general characterisation of spectroradiometers; measurement errors.

After completion of the course the student shall be able to: Apply fundamental physical principles to understand atmospheric and climate-change processes. Identify and assess the fundamental numerical methods found in predictive models of weather and atmospheric climate change, including parameterization of small scale processes. Become familiar with thermodynamic concepts for atmospheres with and without water vapour, and make use of thermodynamic diagrams for evaluation of stability and cloud formation from radiosonde soundings. Understand the processes behind aerosols, clouds and precipitation, and how particles and clouds affect sunlight in the atmosphere. Develop the radiative transfer equation in a plane-parallel atmosphere, accounting for absorption and emission of longwave radiation and the absorption and scattering of shortwave radiation in cloudy and cloud-free atmospheres. Utilise radiative-transfer principles to understand satellite remote sensing measurements. Apply the modelling and radiative transfer principles to the remote sensing of planetary atmospheres.

Lectures and assignments. A project report may be necessary if additional evaluation material is needed. When lectures and lecture material are in English, the exam may be given in English only.

Expected work load in the course is 225 hours.