Research in planetary atmospheres at AER is focused on the theoretical modeling of the local and extended atmospheres of planets, satellites, and comets. Interest concentrates on a fundamental understanding of their relevant physical mechanisms and applying this to the explanation of observational data. These studies are important in achieving a comprehensive knowledge of the basic properties of these bodies as well as many fascinating interactions coupling the atmospheres, ionospheres,
planetary magnetospheres, the solar wind, and the solar radiation field.Our space weather capabilities contribute significantly to the understanding of anomalies within the infrared spectrum and other phenomena which can cause interference or result in the misidentification of objects. Knowledge of near-Earth phenomenology is invaluable to civilian and defense communications systems.
