This page is designed to teach you about the work being done here at NASA's Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics Branch. The topics covered on this page have been researched by the scientists at NASA for decades. With the help of test airplanes, balloons, and certain spacecraft, we have circled the Earth in hopes of unlocking the mysteries of our atmosphere. From the Arctic Circle to the South Pole, scientists have put their efforts together to find out how our atmosphere works, how it is affected by us, and how life would be without it. For example, our atmosphere acts as a barrier(ozone layer) from the Sun's harmful rays, yet warms the Earth by keeping energy from going back into space (greenhouse effect). Those are just two of the functions of the atmosphere that you can learn about in the separate sections of this web page.

Our branch at Ames participates in science missions around the globe to acquire the information shown
on this web page. Through the use of airborne vehicles (balloons, aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)),
scientists monitor weather patterns and assess the chemical reactions taking place between the troposphere
and the stratosphere. Also, Earth-orbiting satellites, such as the SAGE III, and many other specialized
instruments, are utilized in the discovery of this new data...

We have included many fun games and activities for the younger students to help them learn about our
atmosphere. Just read through our K-6 Education section and then click on the Games and Activities button
to have some fun while learning at the same time! We have also included a page for the upper level students
who want to learn, in more detail, about the Earth's atmosphere and how it relates to life on Earth. The button
labeled Jr/Sr High Education will take you to our learning center for more advanced students.

Teachers are also given the opportunity to learn more about a specific topic. In the Educator Resources
section, we included laboratory instructions, lesson plans, and homework ideas for the students because a
good teacher is essential to the education of younger students. Finally, we value the idea that asking questions
promotes learning and therefore have included an Ask a Scientist page. Here we will take your questions or
comments about atmospheric research and get back to you as soon as possible.