What’s the Forecast?
June 16, 2025“‘If you’ve ever seen Star Wars, they’re like the midi-chlorians of our atmosphere,’ says Mayra Oyola-Merced, an assistant professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. ‘They can switch between the dark side and light side of the force.’
She’s talking about aerosols, which are tiny particles that are suspended in the atmosphere. They can come from natural sources (such as dust) or be man-made (for example air pollutants). Recent research, including important contributions from Oyola-Merced’s work, has revealed that they play a significant role in cloud formation, weather and climate. These tiny aerosols can be the explanation for why clear skies turn cloudy, or fluffy cumulus clouds transition into gray, stormy days.
They also play a huge role in extreme weather events.”
Read the full College of Letters & Science magazine article by Alli Watters