News

IAP at the Long Night of Science in Rostock

Kühlungsborn, 14.05.2025 - On May 15, 2025, the Leibniz Institute of Atmospheric Physics will be taking part in the Long Night of Science in Rostock. From 4 to 10 p.m., we will be providing information about our research at the boundary to space in the physics research building (Albert-Eisntein-Straße 23). The focus will be on atmospheric processes around 100 km altitude and their significance for climate and space travel. At 7 p.m., Dr. Staszak will give a public lecture in Lecture Hall 3 of the Physics Department (Albert-Einstein-Straße 24):“Insight into the Ignorosphere - Growing Challenges at the Boundary to Space” Further information about the event and the complete program can be found under the following link: https://lange-nacht-des-wissens.de/ 

Open Day 2025

Kühlungsborn, 12.05.2025 - Great interest in science in Kühlungsborn: around 750 guests took the opportunity to get to know the Leibniz Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP) last Saturday at the open day. From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., visitors were able to take a look behind the scenes - with exciting insights into atmospheric physics research. At themed stations throughout the institute, scientists presented insights into current projects - from radar and lidar measurements to numerical models and sounding rockets. The introductory lectures also met with great interest and gave guests a compact overview of the diverse research activities at the institute. The children's program was also particularly popular, with young guests being able to experiment and make their own paper rockets, which were then shot into the air using compressed air. The highlight of the day was the launch of a weather balloon in the late afternoon. The consistently positive feedback from the guests showed that there is a great deal of curiosity about science - many of them expressed their desire to be there again next time. The next Open Day is expected to take place in 2027. 

Open House 2025

Open House 2025

Kühlungsborn, 21.01.2025 - On May 10, 2025, the Leibniz Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP) in Kühlungsborn will open its doors to the public from 1 pm to 5 pm. Visitors are cordially invited to take a look behind the scenes of atmospheric physics research. Short introductory presentations will give you an insight into the institute's diverse fields of research - from weather and climate processes to the dynamics of the middle atmosphere and satellite-based observations. What you can also expect:Throughout the institute, our scientists will provide vivid insights into their work at themed stations - from radar and lidar measurements to numerical models and sounding rockets. Children's program:Young guests can also experience science up close! Exciting hands-on experiments await them in the children's area - and as a special highlight, a large weather balloon will be launched at 4:15 pm. Getting here:You are welcome to use the cycle path along Schloßstraße (L11). A limited number of parking spaces are also available. You can also reach us with the Rubi call bus (more information). We are looking forward to your visit and an informative afternoon together at the IAP! Presentation program:- 13:30 & 15:00 - Introduction to the IAP and satellite data analysis working group- 13:45 & 15:15 - Radar remote sensing department- 14:00 & 15:30 - Optical and Rocket Soundings department- 14:15 & 15:45 - Modelling of Atmospheric Processes department

Successful dissertation: Thorben Mense defends his thesis at the University of Rostock

Kühlungsborn, 21.01.2025 - On Friday, January 17, 2025, Thorben Mense successfully defended his dissertation at the University of Rostock. The thesis is entitled: “Multi Field of View Observations of Wind, Aerosol and Temperature using a Compact, Frequency Scanning Lidar”.In his research, Dr. Mense has significantly advanced the VAHCOLI system (Vertical And Horizontal COverage by LIdar) developed at the IAP. The Doppler lidar system was extended to enable simultaneous measurements of wind, temperature and aerosols with multiple viewing directions. Technological innovations such as an improved telescope design, new mechanisms for beam switching and integrated temperature management systems formed the basis for this extension.  The performance of the system was demonstrated in measurement campaigns at the IAP between December 2022 and April 2023. Results included the determination of 3D winds up to heights of 25 km, precise aerosol measurements and the calculation of temperatures in aerosol-rich layers. The quality of the measurements was also confirmed by comparisons with weather models and satellite data. The work highlights the potential of VAHCOLI, particularly for future measurement campaigns and the validation of space-based lidar systems.  Furthermore, this defense marked a special moment: Thorben Mense was the last PhD student under the supervision of Prof. Franz-Josef Lübken, the former director of the IAP.We congratulate Dr. Mense on this success!

Insight into the Ignorosphere: Inaugural lecture by Prof. Baumgarten

Kühlungsborn, 10.01.2025 - Yesterday, Prof. Gerd Baumgarten gave his inaugural lecture entitled “Insight into the Ignorosphere: Growing Challenges at the Edge of Space” at the University of Rostock. The lecture offered exciting insights into research in the upper atmosphere. Prof. Baumgarten explained the importance of atmospheric dynamics at an altitude of around 100 km, a region that transports energy and momentum through the entire atmosphere. He particularly highlighted the innovative development of Doppler lidars, which make it possible to measure temperatures and wind up to altitudes of 80 km. One focus of his lecture was the so-called “ignorosphere” - the largely unexplored altitude range between 50 and 200 km. Prof. Baumgarten explained how this observational gap makes it difficult to understand and model physical processes in this area and how optical remote sensing techniques help to reduce this gap.  The lecture was rounded off with explanations of new problems arising from the industrial use of near-Earth space and the increasing pollution of the upper atmosphere. Prof. Baumgarten pointed out the importance of targeted research to accompany these developments and understand the impact they have on the atmosphere. The event highlighted the key role of atmospheric research in understanding our environment and shaping the sustainable use of space.

Prof. Jorge Chau honored as SCOSTEP Fellow

Kühlungsborn, December 20, 2024 - Prof. Jorge Chau, Head of the Radar Remote Sensing Department at the Leibniz Institute of Atmospheric Physics, has been named a SCOSTEP Fellow. This lifetime recognition honors his outstanding contributions to the study of the upper atmosphere at various latitudes and his commitment to the scientific goals of SCOSTEP and its capacity building focus. SCOSTEP, the Scientific Committee on Solar-Terrestrial Physics, was founded in 1966 by the International Science Council (ISC). Since then, SCOSTEP has initiated numerous pioneering programs, including studies on magnetospheric research, processes in the middle atmosphere and cycles of solar activity. The SCOSTEP Fellows Program was established in 2021 and honors sustained and influential contributions to the field and to SCOSTEP's initiatives. Prof. Chau's achievements exemplify the goals of the program and underscore his commitment to interdisciplinary research and international collaboration. The IAP congratulates Prof. Jorge Chau on this prestigious award.

Dr. Toralf Renkwitz appointed honorary professor at Wismar University of Applied Sciences

The Leibniz Institute of Atmospheric Physics congratulates Dr.-Ing. Toralf Renkwitz on his appointment as honorary professor at Wismar University of Applied Sciences, where the official appointment ceremony took place on December 10, 2024. Dr. Renkwitz will represent the field of Communication Technology in the future. Dr. Renkwitz has been supporting the Faculty of Engineering at Wismar University of Applied Sciences since 2018. After a one-year deputy professorship, he has since been active with regular teaching assignments in the field of electrical engineering and computer science. In addition, he heads the “Telecommunications Engineering Project” in the Information and Electrical Engineering Master's program and gives students the opportunity to benefit from his extensive practical experience. As a senior research scientist at the IAP, Dr Renkwitz has many years of expertise in radar technology for research into the dynamics and ionization of the middle atmosphere. This expertise not only enriches teaching at Wismar University of Applied Sciences, but also enables students to gain their own research experience as part of their final theses. This combination of science and practice promotes young scientists in a significant way. Dr. Renkwitz's appointment as an honorary professor is a tribute to his commitment, as his teaching and research make a vital contribution to the education of future engineers.

Successful PhD defense by Ashique Vellalassery

On Friday, November 22, Ashique Vellalassery, PhD student at the IAP, successfully defended his dissertation entitled “Long-term trends and solar cycle response of Noctilucent Clouds” at the University of Rostock. The thesis investigated the highest clouds in the Earth's atmosphere - noctilucent clouds (NLCs) - as indicators of atmospheric background conditions. The focus was on the influence of the 11-year solar cycle and the effects of increasing greenhouse gas concentrations on NLCs, water vapor and temperatures over 170 years. A key finding is the altitude-dependent response of water vapor to the solar cycle in the presence of NLCs, which becomes more pronounced after 1960. Congratulations on this success!

Inaugural lecture of Prof. Claudia Stephan at the University of Rostock

Last Thursday, Prof. Claudia Stephan, Professor of Theoretical Atmospheric Physics at the University of Rostock since the beginning of the year, gave her inaugural lecture on the topic of “Weather forecasts and climate predictions to the edge of space”. It provided insights into the changes currently taking place in the Earth's atmosphere and highlighted the challenges and potential of modern atmospheric models. While the troposphere is warming as a result of climate change, the middle and upper atmosphere is cooling at rates of up to -2°C per decade, leading to a shrinking of these layers. This process has a direct impact on the lifespan and trajectories of satellites and space debris. At the same time, the use of space for civil, commercial and military applications is increasing rapidly, which increases the need for precise models for the upper atmospheric layers. Against this background, Prof. Stephan emphasized the importance of a new numerical model that can provide weather and climate data for altitudes above 50 km. Her research therefore aims to improve the modeling of the atmosphere at altitudes beyond 50 km in order to provide sound insights into an area that is becoming increasingly important for scientific and technical applications.