# Centre for Atmospheric Research

> Research institute

**Wikidata**: [Q117307233](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117307233)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/centre-for-atmospheric-research

## Summary
The Centre for Atmospheric Research (CAR) is a research institute established in 2013 and located in Kogi State, Nigeria. Operating under the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), the institute is dedicated to the systematic investigation of atmospheric sciences, environmental science, and space weather.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** Centre for Atmospheric Research
- **Short Name:** CAR
- **Aliases:** CAR-NASRDA
- **Inception:** 2013
- **Location:** Kogi State, Nigeria
- **Parent Organization:** National Space Research and Development Agency
- **Entity Type:** Research institute
- **Fields of Work:** Atmospheric sciences, environmental science, space weather
- **Logo:** Available via Wikimedia Commons (CAR_Logo.jpg)

## FAQs
### Q: What distinguishes the Centre for Atmospheric Research from a university department?
A: As a specialized research institute, CAR exists specifically to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation rather than combining research with teaching or undergraduate education. Its primary purpose is conducting focused inquiry into atmospheric and environmental phenomena.

### Q: What are the primary areas of study at the Centre for Atmospheric Research?
A: The institute focuses on three main fields: atmospheric sciences, environmental science, and space weather. These areas are pursued to advance scientific understanding without the distractions of academic administration or degree-granting obligations.

### Q: Under which organization does the Centre for Atmospheric Research operate?
A: The centre is a subsidiary organization under the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in Nigeria. This affiliation integrates the centre into the broader national infrastructure for space and atmospheric research.

## Why It Matters
The Centre for Atmospheric Research serves as a dedicated engine of discovery within Nigeria's scientific infrastructure. By concentrating resources and talent purely on investigation—free from the teaching obligations that characterize universities—CAR accelerates breakthroughs in critical fields such as space weather and environmental science. The institute provides a specialized environment where scientists can pursue long-term, high-risk research into the atmosphere that might not fit within commercial or academic timelines. In an era where understanding climate change and atmospheric dynamics is essential for economic competitiveness and public safety, CAR represents critical infrastructure for advancing human knowledge and addressing environmental challenges specific to the region and the globe.

## Notable For
- Dedicated exclusively to research activities in the atmospheric and environmental sectors
- Operating as a specialized unit of the National Space Research and Development Agency
- Focusing on niche scientific disciplines such as space weather alongside broader atmospheric studies
- Functioning as a standalone operational entity conducting hands-on investigation

## Body
### Organizational Classification
The Centre for Atmospheric Research is formally classified as a research institute, a type of organization defined by its primary purpose to conduct research. Unlike entities that treat research as a secondary function, this institute exists specifically to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation.

As a member of this organizational class, CAR is distinguished from scientific societies or learned societies, which are primarily membership-based organizations. It also differs from think tanks, as its focus is on fundamental scientific inquiry across environmental and atmospheric disciplines rather than policy-oriented research. In library and knowledge organization systems, the concept of a research institute is mapped to `schema.org/ResearchOrganization` and identified by the Geonames feature code `S.ITTR`.

### History and Founding
The institute was established in 2013. Its founding reflects a strategic investment in dedicated research infrastructure, creating a space where scientific talent can focus on investigation without the divided attention often found in hybrid organizations.

### Location and Structure
The Centre for Atmospheric Research is geographically situated in Kogi State, Nigeria. It operates as a distinct unit within the federal structure, utilizing the alias "CAR-NASRDA" to signify its integration with the broader national research network.

### Research Focus
The institute's work is concentrated across several interconnected scientific domains:
- **Atmospheric Sciences:** Investigating the physical processes of the earth's atmosphere.
- **Environmental Science:** Studying the interactions between physical, chemical, and biological components of the environment.
- **Space Weather:** Analyzing conditions in space that affect earth and its technological systems.

This multi-disciplinary approach allows the institute to address complex problems spanning terrestrial weather patterns and extraterrestrial atmospheric conditions.

## References

1. [Source](http://nasrda.gov.ng/center-for-atmospheric-research/)
2. [Source](https://carnasrda.com/)