Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics
Our research focuses on the physical processes in the atmospheres and oceans of the Earth and other planets.
Modelling
Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics is an important centre for atmospheric and oceanic modelling. We study the large-scale behaviour of the atmosphere-ocean system and its response to external drivers such as the increases in greenhouse gas levels responsible for anthropogenic climate change. Other modelling of the Earth's atmosphere focuses on large-scale dynamical and chemical-transport processes relevant to climate, and on the interpretation of our satellite data.
Research Groups:
- Climate Dynamics
- Climate Processes
- Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
- Physical Oceanography
- Predictability of Weather and Climate
- Stratosphere and Climate
Observations
We are actively involved in the retrieval of atmospheric parameters from Earth and Planetary observing satellites and their applications. A significant amount of analysis of observations from other sources is also carried out, especially as part of the validation of weather and climate model simulations. Our main area of experimental work is the development of space instruments for infrared remote sensing of the structure and composition of planetary atmospheres, especially the Earth's stratosphere and mesosphere.
Research Groups:
- Earth Observation Data Group
- Planetary Science
- Climate Processes
- Physical Oceanography
- Stratosphere and Climate
Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics at Oxford has been developing space instruments since the 1970s and is experienced in various areas of design and manufacturing for space.
Instrumentation:
Theory
We also investigate fundamental theoretical questions related to Earth and Planetary Physics. This also includes geophysical fluid dynamics by means of laboratory experiments on rotating, stratified fluids, including the study of the chaotic behaviour of a wide variety of physical systems using experimental and theoretical techniques.
Research Groups:
Research themes

Atmospheric Dynamics
Tim Woollings
Atmospheric Processes
Hannah Christensen
Climate Dynamics
Myles Allen
Climate Processes
Philip Stier
Earth Observation Data Group
Roy Grainger, Anu Dudhia
Ice and Fluid Dynamics
Andrew Wells
Physical Oceanography
David Marshall
Predictability of Weather and Climate
Tim Palmer, Antje Weisheimer
Stratosphere and Climate
Lesley Gray, Scott Osprey

Exoplanets
Raymond Pierrehumbert, Suzanne Aigrain, Patrick Irwin, Caroline Terquem, Niranjan Thatte, Peter Read, Vivien Parmentier
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
Peter Read
Planetary Science
Patrick Irwin, Peter Read, Simon Calcutt, Neil Bowles, Raymond Pierrehumbert, Colin Wilson