Aerosols and climate

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