The Central Facilitates play an essential role in the management of ACTRIS and provide operational support to the National Facilities along with specialized services to academia, the public sector, industry and business.  

ACTRIS Central Facilities include the Data Centre, the Head Office and six Topical Centres. Topical Centres are organized around the main scientific themes of ACTRIS: aerosols, clouds, and reactive trace gases, each with a particular focus on either remote sensing or in situ measurement techniques.      

 

Head Office

Coordinates operations, enables services, promotes activities, oversees cooperations, ensures strategic development and supports the work of the General Assembly, the advisory bodies and committees. 

 

Data Centre

Compiles, archives and provides access to well-documented and traceable ACTRIS measurement data and data products, including digital tools for data quality control, analysis, visualisation, and research. 

 

Centre for Aerosol In Situ Measurements (CAIS-ECAC)

Physical and/or chemical in situ characterisation of atmospheric aerosol particles as well as for particle sampling and subsequent laboratory analysis of these particles. 

 

Centre for Aerosol Remote Sensing (CARS)

Aerosol remote sensing instrumentation: high-power aerosol lidars, automatic low-power lidars and ceilometers, and automatic sun/sky/polarised/lunar photometers. 

 

Centre for Cloud in Situ Measurements (CIS)

Measurements of cloud occurrence, cloud water content, cloud droplet effective diameter, cloud particle size distributions, chemical cloud water composition, and ice nucleating particles. 

 

Centre for Cloud Remote Sensing (CCRES)

Cloud remote sensing instrumentation: Doppler Cloud Radars (e.g. Ka, W-band), microwave radiometers for temperature and humidity profiling, and Doppler lidars for wind profiling.

 

Centre for Reactive Trace Gases In Situ Measurements (CiGas)

Measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), condensable vapours and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the atmosphere. 

 

Centre for Reactive Trace Gases Remote Sensing (CREGARS)

Operates FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared), UVVIS (UV_visible) spectrometers or Ozone Dial (Differential Absorption) LIDARS. 

 

 

 

 

 

National Facilities

National Facilities

ACTRIS National Facilities play a key role in supporting long-term observations of atmospheric aerosols, clouds, and reactive trace gases using advanced in situ and remote sensing techniques. Their main task is to deliver high-quality, standardized, and openly accessible data. These facilities include both Observational and Exploratory Platforms, with the latter—and selected Observational Platforms—also offering physical access to state-of-the-art, well-characterized, and versatile infrastructure for scientific research and innovation.

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Get Involved with ACTRIS

There are several ways to join the ACTRIS Community, whether you're a researcher, early career scientist, or a national stakeholder. 

You can start by subscribing to the ACTRIS mailing list, joining the Early Career Community, attending ACTRIS events, or accessing National Facilities. Researchers can also get involved in ACTRIS projects. 

Countries interested in joining ACTRIS ERIC begin by forming a National Consortium, appointing a National Contact Person, and engaging with relevant ministries. Membership is formalized through an application reviewed by the ACTRIS General Assembly.

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Why is ACTRIS needed

Why is ACTRIS needed?

ACTRIS provides high-precision observations and scientific expertise to improve our understanding of atmospheric processes. Our work is crucial for addressing global challenges such as climate change, air quality, and environmental sustainability.

Discover ACTRIS Key Scientific Themes