Stratospheric ozone is a research area within atmospheric science that focuses on the study of the ozone layer in the Earth's stratosphere. The ozone layer plays a crucial role in protecting life on Earth by absorbing the majority of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. Research in this area aims to understand the processes that regulate the amount of ozone in the stratosphere, as well as the factors that contribute to ozone depletion, such as human activities and natural phenomena like volcanic eruptions. Scientists also study the potential impacts of ozone depletion, such as increased skin cancer rates and damage to ecosystems, and work towards finding solutions to mitigate these effects.