NASA's Glory to study aerosol's role in climate change.

The satellite Glory launches this week as part of a NASA mission to enhance the agency's modeling of the Earth's climate and reduce uncertainties about the causes and consequences of climate change. Among other things, the craft will look at how aerosols affect climate. It will also help maintain a record of total solar irradiance.

Aerosols and solar energy influence the total amount of energy entering and exiting the Earth's atmosphere. Maintaining accurate measurements is important in anticipating future changes to our climate and how they may affect life.