Royal Belgian Institute for Space AeronomyPhysics and chemistry of the atmosphere of the Earth and other planets, and of outer space.
Stratospheric ozone monitoring
BIRA-IASB studies the Earth’s stratosphere by looking at long-term changes in stratospheric ozone and the evolution of greenhouse gases.
These important constituents will be measured by the ALTIUS satellite mission, an innovative design created by BIRA-IASB scientists.
BIRA-IASB also focuses on related key parameters like:
- volcanic aerosols
- polar stratospheric clouds
- halogenated compounds
The development of the BASCOE model and data assimilation system has brought to BIRA-IASB a strong competence in the modeling of chemical composition in the stratosphere and its quantitative comparison with satellite and ground-based observations.
Starting on Tuesday 27 June 2023, the European model which delivers our meteorological forecasts and monitors the global composition of the atmosphere will undergo a major upgrade.
Consequences of increasing biologically active UV and space radiations, with significant implication for human health, plants and ecosystems, like cancers and cellular dysfunctions.
September 2 marked the two-year anniversary of PICASSO’s launch, the first CubeSat mission of BIRA-IASB.
Interview with BIRA-IASB scientist Alexis Merlaud, on an Antarctic expedition to measure aerosols at the Princess Elisabeth polar station.
The hole in the ozone layer above the Antarctic is very deep this year, due to the exceptionally cold temperatures in the stratosphere.