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COSMAS

Programme background

The Core-Strategic Measurements for Atmospheric Science (COSMAS) programme invested in new knowledge and research tools to support world-class atmospheric science.

Society is concerned about issues such as polluting ozone in the troposphere, particulate air pollution, aircraft emissions, and how these factors affect temperature trends and climate processes.

Control strategies for these problems must be based upon sound science, including the chemistry and physics of the atmosphere, and its interaction with land and ocean. Many atmospheric processes remain poorly understood. Yet since effects are often global, we need international agreement on the fundamental science before we can develop effective regulations.

The COSMAS programme provided the infrastructure for such research, funding laboratory studies and instrument development for atmospheric science.

Laboratory studies investigated the kinetic, thermodynamic, photochemical, spectroscopic and radiative properties of the atmosphere.

The programme developed new instruments and techniques for atmospheric science.

The programme's science underpinned the UK's internationally-renown atmospheric modelling activities, and NERC's atmospheric science programmes. The UK's atmospheric scientists are world leaders in their fields. COSMAS helped our atmospheric science community adapt to rapidly changing scientific priorities and respond to new environmental issues.