I was looking through current mappings of aerosol data, where they determine the total aerosol counts in the atsmophere world wide.

http://toms.gsfc.nasa.gov/aerosols/aerosols_v8.html
http://macuv.gsfc.nasa.gov/ozone_overhead_all_v8.md?72,59

(and a couple other places)

I'm trying to determine what use they really have. Could Aerosol charting help understand atmospheric motion better than the current weather baloon system. They all claim they collect data for the purpose of determining long-wave radiation, however I would think a simple albedo test would prove more useful.

Does anyone know the purpose of charting this information, and who uses it?

I was looking through current mappings of aerosol data, where they determine the total aerosol counts in the atsmophere world wide.

http://toms.gsfc.nasa.gov/aerosols/aerosols_v8.html
http://macuv.gsfc.nasa.gov/ozone_overhead_all_v8.md?72,59

(and a couple other places)

I'm trying to determine what use they really have. Could Aerosol charting help understand atmospheric motion better than the current weather baloon system. They all claim they collect data for the purpose of determining long-wave radiation, however I would think a simple albedo test would prove more useful.

Does anyone know the purpose of charting this information, and who uses it?

My recollection is (and this would seem to be supported by the context of the data) that Ozone depletion is influenced by the presence of aerosols, my recollection is that the reactions occur on the surface of ice crystals, or catalysed by ice crystals, the nucleation of which is enhanced by the presence of aerosols.

Another reason for tracking this data is that it helps with global climate models, and more accurate data on the distribution and density of aerosols in the atmosphere should lead to more accurate climate models.

Thank you for your prompt response.

Unrelated follow up question:
I found a similar aerosol mapping project (with data) that measured Tropospheric heights using aerosols. Typically the tropopause is associated with the jet stream flow. Typically charts are taken at 200mb, 250mb, or 300mb to analyze 'horizontal' flow patterns dependent on the season.
I imagine a 3D rendering of it would provide a clearer understanding of upper-air physics.

Do you know any software that is designed to render such a thing?

Thank you for your prompt response.

Unrelated follow up question:
I found a similar aerosol mapping project (with data) that measured Tropospheric heights using aerosols. Typically the tropopause is associated with the jet stream flow. Typically charts are taken at 200mb, 250mb, or 300mb to analyze 'horizontal' flow patterns dependent on the season.
I imagine a 3D rendering of it would provide a clearer understanding of upper-air physics.

Do you know any software that is designed to render such a thing?

Off the top of my head? No.