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Research and public service in the physics and chemistry of the atmosphere of the Earth and other planets, and of outer space.

Dormant since 1924, the Raikoke Volcano in the Kuril Island chain, near the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, recently awoke. Data from the Copernicus Sentinel-5P and Sentinel-3 satellites are giving vital information on its aftermath.

On 21 June at about 18:00 UTC, the circular 2.5 km x 2.0 km island discharged a vast plume of volcanic gases and ash, between 7 and 15 km into the sky. The thick plume was carried to the east by a cyclone in the North Pacific, which the Copernicus Sentinel-3 and Sentinel-5P satellites recorded.

Every summer, the Wolvendael park situated near BIRA-IASB, is transformed into a universe of its own. People, families, anyone can bring their tent and spend the night under the stars, following a busy afternoon bursting with all kinds of activities.

The scientists of the Institute do not miss an opportunity to share the wonders of science, and the knowledge and wisdom that research has brought them, with the public. It is always a pleasure to tell the stories of the natural world, especially to the children, whose curiosity knows no bounds.

 ‘Comet Interceptor’ has been selected as ESA’s new fast-class mission in its Cosmic Vision Programme. Comprising three spacecraft, it will be the first to visit a truly pristine comet or other interstellar object that is only just starting its journey into the inner Solar System. As with Rosetta, the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB) will also play an important role in this comet mission. The launch is foreseen at the earliest in 2027.

We are experiencing a period in which the population is crying out for 'Action for the Climate'. We believe that it is our role as scientists to support the debate with objective scientific information, and also that it is our role, as a conscientious citizen, to contribute to the reflections on how we can adapt our lifestyle and our way of working to contribute to a climate-neutral society, and to translate these reflections into action.

Today, the prestigious journal Nature publishes two papers describing the first results of the Belgian NOMAD instrument on board ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. New evidence of the impact of the recent planet-encompassing dust storm on water in the atmosphere, including the first vertical measurements of semiheavy water on Mars, and a surprising lack of methane, are among the scientific highlights of the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter’s first year in orbit. Principal Investigator of the NOMAD instrument, Ann Carine Vandaele at the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy is delighted with these results.

On Friday, April 13, 2018, the Danish ASIM experiment was installed on the outside of the European Columbus module of the ISS International Space Station. The instrument gives us insight into the luminous phenomena that take place over violent thunderstorms. The Belgian B.USOC is responsible for the infrastructure and operations of ASIM.