The IMKASF
The Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research Atmospheric Trace Gases and Remote Sensing (IMKASF) investigates dynamic, microphysical and chemical processes in the Earth’s atmosphere, with the goal to understand, quantify and predict its natural variability and long-term changes.
Accurate measurements of atmospheric trace gases, aerosols and clouds from various observational platforms (ground-based stations, air craft, balloons, satellites) provide the data that are required for the modelling of atmospheric processes.
Particular focus of the activities of IMKASF is to investigate the complex links and feedbacks between climate change, dynamics and transport, and atmospheric chemistry.

At the annual conference of the KIT Climate and Environment Center on June 5, 2025, Viola Hipler was awarded the Sparkassen-Umweltpreis for her master's thesis on the differentiation of fog and other low clouds in the Namib, which she wrote under the supervision of Hendrik Andersen and Jan Cermak in the AeroFog project.
Weitere Informationen zum AeroFog Projekt
From 2-6 June 2025, IMKASF hosted the 13th international Atmospheric Limb Workshop at the castle of Karlsruhe. Over the five days, achievements of current and past missions were presented, challenges were discussed and new missions were presented. The CAIRT mission, which is proposed by a consortium led by KIT for the next ESA Earth Explorer mission, was presented and discussed in several contributions, and the feedback from the community showed the need for CAIRT measurements. The scientific program was accompanied by a joint visit to the ZKM Museum and a conference dinner.
To workshop website
From 25 September 2024 to 9 April 2025, KLOCX is part of the TEAMx winter campaign. The research focusses on the study of low-level stratiform clouds and fog. The main aim is to better understand the different life-cycle phases of these clouds to improve the prediction of formation and dissipation.
More information about the measurement campaign
More information about KLOCX