Podcast: Play in new window
BOB HIRSHON (host):
Checking up on ozone. I’m Bob Hirshon and this is Science Update.
Thanks to a massive international effort, the atmosphere’s damaged ozone layer is just starting to heal. Now, scientists have a better way to check up on it. Physicist Eric Mueller of Coherent, Inc., in California has helped develop a laser-enhanced satellite system for measuring an atmospheric chemical called OH. Mueller explains that OH is not only a key marker of the ozone layer’s health — it’s also useful for validating scientific models of the whole atmosphere.
ERIC MUELLER (Coherent, Inc.):
It turns out that how good the model is at predicting OH tells you a lot about how good the model is at predicting all kinds of other things.
HIRSHON:
And having reliable models will be critical in deciding how to respond to complex phenomena like global warming.
I’m Bob Hirshon, for AAAS, the science society.