Climate research above the Australian rainforest

Dr. Clara Nussbaumer is a chemist and flies over the thick, green roof of the rainforest in Australia, near Cairns. In this breathtaking setting, she is researching for the Max-Planck-Institute in Mainz.

Clara Nussbaumer and her colleagues fly the airspace above the Australian rainforest using the HALO aircraft, which is specially equipped for aerial research. Credit: Max Planck Institut für Chemie/CAFE

Clara is a member of the renowned CAFE team — that stands for “C hemistry of the A tmosphere: F ield e xperiment”. Using highly modified research aircraft, researchers are studying the chemistry of the atmosphere. Her focus is on atmospheric processes in the southern hemisphere, which provide valuable insights for climate research. Today, Clara gives us insights into her fascinating work and explains how this research contributes to deepening our understanding of the climate.

Dr. Clara Nussbaumer bei der Arbeit im Forschungsflugzeug HALO. Credit: Max-Planck-Institut für Chemie/CAFE