The scientific study of atmospheric conditions at heights which are unaffected by the friction of the Earth's surface: Aerology is the branch of meteorology that studies the total vertical extent of the Earth's atmosphere as opposed to the atmosphere which is close to the Earth's surface.

The most commonly studied atmospheric factors in aerology are air temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, wind, and ozone levels. Radioactivity and some aspects of long-wave radiation are also in the process of being researched.