Suggested Searches

Objectives & Goals

A set of minimum and enhanced science objectives, geophysical variables, and observables has been identified for the AOS mission.

AOS Applications

Science Objectives

Low Cloud Feedback
High Cloud Feedback
Convective Storm System
Cold Cloud & Precipitation
Aerosol Attribution and Air Quality
Aerosol Redistribution
Aerosol Direct Effect and Absorption
Aerosol Indirect Effect

Goal 1: CLOUD FEEDBACKS 

Objective 1: Cloud Feedbacks for Low Clouds

Objective 2: Cloud Feedbacks for High Clouds

Traceability to Decadal Survey:

  • C-2a: Reduce uncertainty in low and high cloud feedback by a factor of 2.
  • C-2h: Reduce the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) total aerosol radiative forcing uncertainty by a factor of 2.

Goal 2: STORM DYNAMICS 

Objective 3: Storm Dynamics for Convective Storms

Traceability to Decadal Survey:

  • C-2a: Reduce uncertainty in low and high cloud feedback by a factor of 2.
  • C-2h: Reduce the IPCC AR5 total aerosol radiative forcing uncertainty by a factor of 2.
  • W-4a: Measure the vertical motion within deep convection to within 1 meters per second (m/s) and heavy precipitation rates to within 1 millimeters per hour (mm/h) to improve model representation of extreme precipitation and to determine convective transport and redistribution of mass, moisture, momentum, and chemical species.

Goal 3: COLD CLOUD and PRECIPITATION 

Objective 4: Cold Cloud and Precipitation Processes

Traceability to Decadal Survey:

  • C-2a: Reduce uncertainty in low and high cloud feedback by a factor of 2.
  • C-2h: Reduce the IPCC AR5 total aerosol radiative forcing uncertainty by a factor of 2.

Goal 4: AEROSOL PROCESSES 

Objective 5: Aerosol Attribution and Air-Quality

Objective 6: Aerosol Redistribution

Traceability to Decadal Survey:

  • W-5a: Improve the understanding of the processes that determine air pollution distributions and aid estimation of global air pollution impacts on human health and ecosystems by reducing uncertainty to <10% of vertically-resolved tropospheric fields (including surface concentrations) of speciated particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

Goal 5: AEROSOL IMPACTS on RADIATION 

Objective 7: Aerosol Direct Effect and Absorption

Objective 8: Aerosol Indirect Effect

Traceability to Decadal Survey:

  • C-2a: Reduce uncertainty in low and high cloud feedback by a factor of 2.
  • C-2h: Reduce the IPCC AR5 total aerosol radiative forcing uncertainty by a factor of 2.