An overview of ACE‐Asia: Strategies for quantifying the relationships between Asian aerosols and their climatic impacts

The International Global Atmospheric Chemistry Program (IGAC) has conducted a series of Aerosol Characterization Experiments (ACE) that integrate in situ measurements, satellite observations, and models to reduce the uncertainty in calculations of the climate forcing due to aerosol particles. ACE‐Asia, the fourth in this series of experiments, consisted of two focused components: (1) An intensive field study that sought to quantify the spatial and vertical distribution of aerosol concentrations and properties, the processes controlling their formation, evolution, and fate, and the column‐integrated radiative effect of the aerosol (late March through May 2001). (2) A longer‐term network of ground stations that…