Science is an exciting field, and many find weather and climate particularly spellbinding, but without talented atmospheric and climate scientists we could not uncover the many mysteries of the world. Images depict researchers working in field or laboratory settings. 

First place: Green Bank Telescope in WV by Mike Zorger, Falls Church, VA

Second place: Photographer captures the aurora by Christopher Morse, Fairbanks, AK

Third place: South Pole Atmospheric Research Observatory by LTJG Joseph Phillips, NOAA, Boulder, Colorado

Honorable mention: Collecting data from the atmosphere at sunset at the South Pole by LTJG Joseph Phillips, NOAA, Boulder, Colorado