LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — The University of Wyoming will mark the 50th anniversary of its atmospheric research project next week.

About six times per year, UW's Department of Atmospheric Science launches mid-sized balloons carrying aerosol-measuring instruments from a site near Laramie Regional Airport. The project provides data about the Earth's climate and ozone levels.

Among the nation's research institutions, UW has the longest-running program for measuring stratospheric aerosol.
The work began in August 1963 at the University of Minnesota, where physicist Jim Rosen launched an aerosol-measuring instrument as part of a research project. Rosen brought his instrument to Wyoming in the early 1970s.

Rosen will return to UW next week to commemorate the initial flight of his instrument 50 years ago. The event includes launching a balloon and a lecture.

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