Light scattering by small particles is a fundamental process in the atmospheres of the planets, in comets and interstellar clouds, affecting the radiative balance (amount of radiative energy going into and out) of a system. On Earth it is particularly important, as it affects the climate as a whole.

In this Science-Portrait planetary scientist Olga Muñoz (Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía, Granada, Spain) guides us into her lab and tells about the light scattering experiment she has set up and is running together with her colleagues.

See http://www.iaa.es/scattering for more background information on the experiment and the results (Amsterdam-Granada Light Scattering Database)

The Science-Portrait Series is a series of short films about scientists and their work. This is the first in the series.

Produced by Lightcurve Films © 2011