Atmospheric optics aims at modelling the propagation through the atmosphere of the visible light received from the Sun and of the infrared light emited by the terrestrial surfaces and the atmosphere. Studies conducted at LOA in this context are addressed to the global climate problem.

A first objective is to quantify the impact of visible and infrared radiation on the different planetary energetic exchanges and more specifically to quantify the influence of clouds on the Earth radiative budget.

The second objective relates to the characterization at the globe scale of different parameters directly related to the climate evolution (clouds, aerosols, surfaces) mainly using satellite observations.

The studies conducted in this context aim at:

• Conception of softwares for simulating the radiative transfer, based on modeling of the earth-atmosphere system.
• Analysis of satellite sensor observations, mainly using satellite picture processings, and new satellite experiment designing,
• Intensive observations during field campaigns using equipments developped at LOA, at ground level or from aircraft or stratospheric balloons, to validate models or to monitor atmospheric processes.