Radiation processes are studied by utilizing surface observations and airborne measurements.

Surface observations are used to analyze the surface radiation budget in Antarctica and its temporal variation as well as the radiative forcing of clouds and aerosols. Investigations are based on long-term records from Neumayer Station on the Ekstroem Ice Shelf and on campaign data from Kohnen Station on the plateau of Dronning Maud Land. 

By means of airborne measurements, we mainly address radiative properties of sea ice (albedo) and their seasonal variations, e.g., due to melting and freezing. AWI aircraft POLAR 5 is utilized in the Arctic as well as in the Antarctic to compile data sets allowing a comparison among radiative properties of different types of sea ice. For results we refer to the pages of the respective campaigns, see for instance, MELTEX performed over pond-covered sea ice in the Beaufort Sea in 2008.