Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “lidar observations”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1992

Volume-imaging lidar observations of the convective structure surrounding the flight path of a flux-measuring aircraft

The University of Wisconsin volume imaging lidar has been used to portray images of the three-dimensional structure of clear air convective plumes in the atmosphere surrounding the flight path of the instrumented Twin Otter aircraft operated by the National Aeronautical Establishment of Canada. Lidar images provide a context for interpretation of the aircraft measurements. The position of data points within a convective element can be determined and the temporal development of the plume can be observed to time the observation with respect to the life cycle of the plume. Plots of the vertical flux of water vapor, superimposed on lidar images clearly demonstrate the well-known sampling difficulties encountered when attempting to measure fluxes near the top of the convective layer. When loran was used to determine average aircraft velocity, flight-leg-averaged horizontal winds measured by the aircraft and area-averaged winds measured by lidar agree to within 0.2 m/s in speed and 1 deg in direction.

Eloranta, Edwin W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Lidar observations of mixed layer dynamics - Tests of parameterized entrainment models of mixed layer growth rate

Ground based lidar measurements of the atmospheric mixed layer depth, the entrainment zone depth and the wind speed and wind direction were used to test various parameterized entrainment models of mixed layer growth rate. Six case studies under clear air convective conditions over flat terrain in central Illinois are presented. It is shown that surface heating alone accounts for a major portion of the rise of the mixed layer on all days. A new set of entrainment model constants was determined which optimized height predictions for the dataset. Under convective conditions, the shape of the mixed layer height prediction curves closely resembled the observed shapes. Under conditions when significant wind shear was present, the shape of the height prediction curve departed from the data suggesting deficiencies in the parameterization of shear production. Development of small cumulus clouds on top of the layer is shown to affect mixed layer depths in the afternoon growth phase.

Boers, R.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Global Lidar Observations of Aerosol Distribution and Radiative Influence

A very visible impact of human activities is the brownish aerosol haze that pervades many industrialized regions as well as areas in the subtropics and tropics where biomass burning occurs. Well known examples are the Asian Brown Cloud, Arctic Haze and East Coast Haze. Atmospheric transport transforms this haze into regional and hemispheric aerosol layers of significant concentrations. The overall impact on the radiation balance of the atmosphere, surface solar irradiance and other meteorology factors is recognized as a major uncertainty for climate change. In order to understand the impact, the global distribution of aerosol and their properties must be known. . A missing element of observations, but critical for understanding transport has been the height distribution of aerosol. Lidar measurements of aerosol height distribution have been important in GLOBE, ACE, INDOEX and other field studies A network of continuously operating eye safe lidar ground sites has now been established for baseline aerosol profiling. In 2002 NASA will launch the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) mission which will provide for the first time global observations of the height distribution of aerosol. The combination of these and other modem satellite observations, field experiments and models of global aerosol composition and transport should begin to unravel the impacts of particles in the atmosphere.

Spinhirne, James↗
NASA NTRS2001

Full-Time, Eye-Safe Cloud and Aerosol Lidar Observation at Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program Sites: Instruments and Data Analysis

Atmospheric radiative forcing, surface radiation budget, and top of the atmosphere radiance interpretation involves a knowledge of the vertical height structure of overlying cloud and aerosol layers. During the last decade, the U.S. Department of Energy through I the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program has constructed four long- term atmospheric observing sites in strategic climate regimes (north central Oklahoma, In Barrow. Alaska, and Nauru and Manus Islands in the tropical western Pacific). Micro Pulse Lidar (MPL) systems provide continuous, autonomous observation of all significant atmospheric cloud and aerosol at each of the central ARM facilities. Systems are compact and transmitted pulses are eye-safe. Eye-safety is achieved by expanding relatively low-powered outgoing Pulse energy through a shared, coaxial transmit/receive telescope. ARM NIPL system specifications, and specific unit optical designs are discussed. Data normalization and calibration techniques are presented. A multiple cloud boundary detection algorithm is also described. These techniques in tandem represent an operational value added processing package used to produce normalized data products for Cloud and aerosol research and the historical ARM data archive.

Campbell, James R.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Ocean and Atmospheric Profiling Lidar Observations and Its Link to Ocean Carbon Cycle

This study introduces space-based ocean and atmospheric profiling lidar for improving modeling and understanding of ocean carbon cycle. Unique measurements from space-based profiling lidars include (1) the global ocean surface mean square slope measurements for improving air-sea turbulence exchange estimates; (2) the backscatter and beam attenuation measurements for improving the global estimate of partial pressure of CO2 of the ocean with the reduction of uncertainties in primary productivity estimates. Global statistics of CALIOP integrated ocean subsurface backscatter measurements of coastal waters will be presented. The study will also assess the impact of CALIOP on the uncertainty reduction of primary productivity and the improvement of CO2 partial pressure estimates. Ocean surface roughness statistics, its applications in air-sea interaction and its comparisons with other measurements will also be presented

Hu, Yongxiang↗
NASA NTRS1992

Lidar Observations of the Pinatubo Volcanic Cloud over Hampton, Virginia

A series of eruptions of Mt. Pinatubo climaxed in a cataclysmic eruption on June 15-16, which greatly perturbed the stratospheric aerosol layer. These eruptions yielded an estimated 20 megatons of SO2, which is three times the amount produced by El Chichon. Lidar measurements taken by the 48-inch lidar system at Langley Research Center show the vertical distribution, intensity and spread of the Pinatubo aerosol layers over the middle latitude locations. A few observations have also been made using an airborne lidar system which measures scattering and depolarization. The magnitude and transport time of the volcanic aerosols following Pinatubo and El Chichon are compared. In addition, comparisons are made between the ground-based lidar measurements and near-coincident Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) 2 satellite observations of the Pinatubo aerosol layers.

Osborn, M. T.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Lidar Observations of the Optical Properties and 3-Dimensional Structure of Cirrus Clouds

The scientific research conducted under this grant have been reported in a series of journal articles, dissertations, and conference proceedings. This report consists of a compilation of these publications in the following areas: development and operation of a High Spectral Resolution Lidar, cloud physics and cloud formation, mesoscale observations of cloud phenomena, ground-based and satellite cloud cover observations, impact of volcanic aerosols on cloud formation, visible and infrared radiative relationships as measured by satellites and lidar, and scattering cross sections.

Eloranta, E. W.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Lidar observations and modeling of cold air outbreaks during MASEX and GALE

As part of MASEX and GALE a number of research flights were carried out over the Marine Boundary Layer (MBL) during periods when extremely cold and dry continental air was flowing out over the warm coastal waters at the east coast of the U.S. Such periods, which are named cold air outbreaks are characterized by massive warming and moistening of the MBL resulting in rapid entrainment conditions. As the MBL deepens as a function of fetch over the ocean, clouds develop. The line of cloud formation typically follows the coast line closely as has been observed many times from satellite imagery. The backscatter data from the NASA Goddard airborne lidar, which was used to measure the depth of the MBL in great detail, is ideally suited to verify parametrized models of boundary layer growth rate. The data indicates that the deepening MBL gradually develops clouds at its top. Those clouds form an integral part of the MBL and exercise an important influence on the energy cycle within the MBL. It is suggested that the rapid entrainment observed during overcast conditions represent an increase in efficiency of conversion of available turbulence kinetic energy into entrainment energy.

Boers, R.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Using CATS Near-Real-time Lidar Observations to Monitor and Constrain Volcanic Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Forecasts

An eruption of Italian volcano Mount Etna on 3 December 2015 produced fast-moving sulfur dioxide (SO2) and sulfate aerosol clouds that traveled across Asia and the Pacific Ocean, reaching North America in just 5 days. The Ozone Profiler and Mapping Suite's Nadir Mapping UV spectrometer aboard the U.S. National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite observed the horizontal transport of the SO2 cloud. Vertical profiles of the colocated volcanic sulfate aerosols were observed between 11.5 and 13.5 km by the new Cloud Aerosol Transport System (CATS) space-based lidar aboard the International Space Station. Backward trajectory analysis estimates the SO2 cloud altitude at 7-12 km. Eulerian model simulations of the SO2 cloud constrained by CATS measurements produced more accurate dispersion patterns compared to those initialized with the back trajectory height estimate. The near-real-time data processing capabilities of CATS are unique, and this work demonstrates the use of these observations to monitor and model volcanic clouds.

space↗
NASA NTRS1988

Lidar observations of Arctic polar stratospheric clouds, 1988 - Signature of small, solid particles above the frost point

The paper presents recent (January 1988) Arctic airborne lidar data which suggest that Type I polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) are composed of small solid particles with radii on the order of 0.5 micron. PSCs were observed remotely in the 21-24 km altitude range north of Greenland during a round-trip flight from Andenes, Norway on January 29, 1988, aboard the NASA Wallops Flight Facility P-3 Orion aircraft. Synoptic analyses at the 30-mb level show local temperatures of 191-193 K, which are well above the estimated frost point temperature of 185 K; this suggests that the PSCs were probably of the binary HNO3-H2O (Type I) class.

Poole, L. R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Lidar observations of the nighttime sodium layer at 33 deg N

Measurements of the nighttime atmospheric sodium layer have been performed since 1977, using a dye lidar at Fukuoka (33.4 deg N, 130.2 deg E.). The Kyushu lidar uses a flashlamp pumped dye laser tuned to the sodium D sub 2 line (589.0 nm) as a transmitter. The dye laser used in the Kyushu lidar system has been described elsewhere. Sporadic enhancements of the total column abundance of the layer during the Perseids meteor shower were observed on the nights of August 12 and 13, 1978, 1979, 1981, and 1983. Degrading weather conditions prevented observation on the nights during 1980 and 1983. A contour plot of the sodium layer for the period of 8 hours from 21:00 to 5:00 JST on the night of August 12 to 13 1983, is shown. The predominant feature visible is the increase in the height of peak density from 21:00 to 2:00 JST, and the slight decrease in the height of peak density from 2:00 to 5:00 JST. The average abundance had a maximum of about 7 x 10 to the 13th power/sq m on August 13. A plot is presented of the nightly average abundance for available data. The sodium layer abundance increased on the night of August 12 to 13, 1983, during the peak of the Perseids meteor shower, and the following night, August 13 to 14, almost went back to the monthly mean.

Uchiumi, M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Airborne lidar observations in the wintertime Arctic stratosphere - Polar stratospheric clouds

Polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) distributions in the wintertime Arctic stratosphere and their optical characteristics were measured with a multiwavelength airborne lidar system as part of the 1989 Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition. PSCs were observed on 10 flights between January 6 and February 2, 1989, into the polar vortex. The PSCs were found in the 14-27 km altitude range in regions where the temperatures were less than 195 K. Two types of aerosols with different optical characteristics (Types 1a and 1b) were observed in PSCs thought to be composed of nitric acid trihydrate. Water ice PSCs (Type 2) were observed to have high scattering ratios (greater than 10) and high aerosol depolarizations (greater than 10 percent) at temperatures less than 190 K.

Browell, E. V.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Lidar observation of the mesospheric sodium layer over Urbana, Illinois

Atmospheric sodium has been observed over Urbana (40 deg 10 min N, 88 deg 10 min W) using a monostatic lidar tuned to 589.0 nm. The photocount data are processed using ditital smoothing filters to obtain continuous estimates of the sodium density versus altitude. The filter cutoff frequency is related to the height resolution and accuracy of the estimated profile. Wavelike structures in the sodium layer have been observed with typical wavelengths of 3-15 km and phase velocities of 1-3 m/s. The layer is characterized by a sharp falloff on the bottomside and often an undulatory motion of the bottomside of the layer accompanies the wave motion. The topside gradient of the layer is frequently observed to decrease through the night.

Richter, E. S.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Rayleigh/raman Greenland Lidar Observations of Atmospheric Temperature During a Major Arctic Stratospheric Warming Event

Between Jan. 22 1991 to Feb. 5 1991, we made numerous observations of atmospheric temperature profiles between 10 and 70 km by using the combination of Rayleigh and Raman lidar systems contained in the PL Mobile Lidar Facility located at the National Science Foundation Incoherent Radar Facility of Sondrestrom in Greenland. The purpose of these measurements was to observe the dynamics of the winter Arctic stratosphere and mesosphere regions during a winter period from the succession of temperature profiles obtained in our campaign observations. Various aspects of this investigation are presented.

Meriwether, John W.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Sodium Lidar-observed Strong Inertia-gravity Wave Activities in the Mesopause Region over Fort Collins, Colorado (41 deg N, 105 deg W)

In December 2004, the Colorado State University sodium lidar system at Fort Collins, Colorado (41 deg N, 105 deg W), conducted an approximately 80-hour continuous campaign for the simultaneous observations of mesopause region sodium density, temperature, and zonal and meridional winds. This data set reveals the significant inertia-gravity wave activities with a period of approximately 18 hours, which are strong in both wind components since UT day 338 (second day of the campaign), and weak in temperature and sodium density. The considerable variability of wave activities was observed with both wind amplitudes growing up to approximately 40 m/s at 95-100 km in day 339 and then decreasing dramatically in day 340. We also found that the sodium density wave perturbation is correlated in phase with temperature perturbation below 90 km, and approximately 180 deg out of phase above. Applying the linear wave theory, we estimated the wave horizontal propagation direction, horizontal wavelength, and apparent horizontal phase speed to be approximately 25 deg south of west, approximately 1800 +/- 150 km, and approximately 28 +/- 2 m/s, respectively of wave intrinsic period, intrinsic phase speed, and vertical wavelength were also estimated. While the onset of enhanced inertia-gravity wave amplitude in the night of 338 was observed to be in coincidence with short-period gravity wave breaking via convective instability, the decrease of inertia-gravity wave amplitude after noon of day 339 was also observed to coincide with the development of atmospheric dynamical instability layers with downward phase progression clearly correlated with the 18-hour inertia-gravity wave, suggesting likely breaking of this inertia-gravity wave via dynamical (shear) instability.

mesopause region↗
NASA NTRS1985

Lidar observations of vertically organized convection in the planetary boundary layer over the ocean

Observations of a convective planetary boundary layer (PBL) were made with an airborne, downward-looking lidar system over the Atlantic Ocean during a cold air outbreak. The lidar data revealed well-organized, regularly spaced cellular convection with dominant spacial scales between two and four times the height of the boundary layer. It is demonstrated that the lidar can accurately measure the structure of the PBL with high vertical and horizontal resolution. Parameters important for PBL modeling such as entrainment zone thickness, entrainment rate, PBL height and relative heat flux can be inferred from the lidar data. It is suggested that wind shear at the PBL top may influence both entrainment and convective cell size.

Melfi, S. H.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Lidar observations of polar stratospheric clouds at McMurdo, Antarctica, during NOZE-2

SRI International operated a dual wavelength (1.064 micrometer and .532 micrometer) aerosol lidar at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, as part of the National Ozone Expedition-2 (NOZE-2). The objective of the project was to map the vertical distributions of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs), which are believed to play an important role in the destruction of ozone in the Antarctic spring. Altitude, thickness, homogeneity, and duration of PSC events as well as information on particle shape, size or number density will be very useful in determining the exact role of PSCs in ozone destructions, and when combined with measurements of other investigators, additional properties of PSCs can be estimated. The results are currently being analyzed in terms of PSC properties which are useful for modeling the stratospheric ozone depletion mechanism.

Morley, Bruce M.↗