Planetary research in the unit is motivated by the goal to better understand Earth's atmosphere through comparisons with other planetary atmospheres. The research on space weather seeks to minimize the hazards for technical systems and to facilitate tourism and aurora watching. New methods in radar technology can provide more accurate and more versatile information needed to improve short term weather forecasting.

The unit has the following three groups:

Space Weather Research

The group studies electro-magnetic phenomena in near space and the upper atmosphere that are generally known as space weather. The group develops forecasting methods and creates meaningful products and services for the society. The group is responsible for the space weather services provided by the Finnish Meteorological Institute including daily aurora forecasts and alerts for authorities during severe space storms. The magnetic field measurements in Finland are monitored by the group.

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Nowcasting and Intelligent Traffic Weather Research

The research group studies and develops new polarisation radar and satellite-based methods for measuring and predicting atmospheric phenomena such as precipitation, storms and wind using weather radar networks, satellites and other observation systems. The group examines and develops advanced multi-technology detection and analysis systems for smart traffic measurement and test systems. Methods based on polarisation radars are used to improve short-range forecasting and automatic classification methods for sites. The group conducts research in close cooperation with e.g. University of Helsinki and Aalto University, Vaisala Oyj and many other commercial operators. The group operates in Sodankylä and Helsinki.

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Planetary Research and Space Technology

The group studies the planets of the solar system with a special focus on the troposphere of the Martian atmosphere. The group fabricates instrumentation for planetary probes and develops a new propolsion system based on the concept of electric solar wind sail.

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