Atmospheric Optics: Aerosols, Visibility, and the Radiative Balance

A&WMA's specialty atmospheric science conference, 'Atmospheric Optics: Aerosols, Visibility, and the Radiative Balance', will be held at Lake Junaluska, NC, near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Asheville. This international conference serves as a technical forum to advance the scientific understanding of aerosols' effects on urban, regional, continental, and global-scale haze and the radiative balance. It employs a multipronged approach, fostering scientific dialogue on measurements and modeling, and addressing regulatory and policy issues. The 2026 event will specifically highlight sessions on biomass burning, the impact of wildfire on air quality, and the increasing concerns related to atmospheric nitrogen and carbonaceous material concerning haze, climate change, and nitrogen deposition on ecosystems. The technical program includes panels and sessions on topics such as Recent Advances in the Regional Haze Rule, Monitoring Networks and Field Studies, Organic and Light Absorbing Carbon, Mineral Dust Aerosols: Impacts on Air Quality and Visibility, Measurements and Modeling of Aerosol Optical Properties, Bioaerosols, Satellite and Remote Sensing Applications, Emission Inventories and Applications, Volatile Organic Compounds, Low-Cost Sensors, and Aerosol Hygroscopicity. Attendees and presenters will have multiple opportunities to gain a comprehensive understanding of the topic through platform and poster presentations, expert panels, courses, and a vendor exhibit, with a mid-conference field trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park planned for informal discussions.