Research Group "Planetary Atmospheres"

In our research group we study the atmospheres of planets and their moons in our solar system and beyond. The main scientific focus is the detailed research of climate, origin and history of atmospheres as well as their composition, structure, dynamics and chemical processes. We observe the atmospheres from sub-mm to ultraviolet wavelengths and verify the results with intensive model calculations and simulations.

Tools of the research group "Planetary Atmospheres" are new, high-end, up-to-date instrumentations to be used from the ground, onboard aircraft, and spacecraft delivering more detailed high-resolution data from planetary atmospheres.

In particular we currently concentrate on the following research topics:

• Characterization of atmospheres (composition, structure, dynamics, chemistry, circulation, evolution) of Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Titan, Callisto, Europa, Ganymede, Io) using spectroscopic methods in the sub-mm to infrared-regime from groundbased, aircraft-based, spacecraft-based measurements.
• Global modelling of circulation patterns and radiation transport of planets in our solar system and beyond
• Meteorologic characterization of Venus clouds and thier tracking from spacecraft
• Observation and modelling of water- and carbondioxide-cycles in the Martian atmosphere as well as of duststorms