The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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Aerosols are tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in Earth's atmosphere. These particles can vary in colour, size, composition and origin. They include dust, pollen, sea salt, volcanic ash, industrial pollutants, combustion, and other natural and anthropogenic materials.
Aerosols play a significant role in Earth's climate system, both ‘directly’ by reflecting and absorbing incoming solar radiation and trapping outgoing radiation, and ‘indirectly’ as they act as nuclei for cloud formation – which is how they influence our climate the most.
ESA’s EarthCARE mission is designed to deliver a wealth of data that will further our understanding of this important area of science.
Read more: Clouds and aerosols in the climate system