Cloud Measurements with a Polarization Raman Elastic-Backscatter Lidar

Abstract

The GKSS Raman elastic-backscatter lidar is part of the worldwide lidar network established for the ECLIPS (Experimental Cloud Lidar Pilot Study) project. A detailed review of the aims and philosophy of this international program is given in Ref. 1. During the first ECLIPS observational phase in autumn 1989 the GKSS lidar was also part of the ICE (International Cirrus Experiment) lidar network in the German Bight of the North Sea (Ref. 2). Measurements were taken on the island of Norderney (53.7° N, 7.2° E) between 18 September and 24 October 1989. In this campaign predominantly cirrus clouds were studied. The measurements of the second ECLIPS field phase were made at Geesthacht (53.5° N, 13.5° E) between 29 May and 27 June 1991. Each day two or three two-hour sessions centered around the overpass times of the satellites NOAA 10 and NOAA 11 were carried out.