ARB Level 2
Entry Title: Aerosol Research Branch (ARB) 48 inch Lidar Data

Entry ID: ARB_48_IN_LIDAR_1
Aerosols Tropospheric Composition
Description

The ARB_48_IN_LIDAR data set contains data collected from a 48-inch lidar system located at NASA Langley Research Center. Each granule consists of one year of data. The days of data are different in each granule. Each measurement consists of four parameters: stratospheric integrated backscatter over altitude, altitude levels, scattering ratio at each altitude level, and aerosol backscattering coefficient at each altitude level. An image was produced to represent the data collected for each granule.The Aerosol Research Branch (ARB) Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) project has been taking ground based LIDAR measurements from Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia since May 1974. These LIDAR measurements provide high resolution vertical profiles of the upper tropospheric and stratospheric aerosols. The LIDAR system has evolved over the years and provides a valuable long-term history of the middle-latitude stratospheric aerosol.The measurements for ARB were made using a LIDAR system. This system uses a ruby laser that emits one joule per pulse with a repeat rate of 0.15 hertz (Hz) at a wavelength of 0.6943 micrometers. This system also uses a 48-inch cassegrainian configured telescope mounted on a movable platform. The transmitter laser beam has a divergence of about 1.0 mrad, and the maximum receiver field of view is 4.0 mrad. The LIDAR has a signal bandwidth of 1 MHz, and this is equal to a 150 meter vertical resolution. Three photomultiplier tubes are used to enhance the dynamic range. These tubes are electronically switched on at specific times after the laser has been fired. The photomultiplier tube output signals are processed by 12-bit Computer Automated Measurement and Control (CAMAC) based digitizers and acquired by a personal computer. The data are archived on optical discs.

DOI

10.5067/ASDC_DAAC/ARB/0001

Citation Styles for this Dataset
Keywords

From GCMD Science Keywords:
  • GEOPOTENTIAL HEIGHT
  • Aerosol Backscattering Coefficient
  • Integrated Backscatter
  • Lidar
  • Scattering Ratio
  • Stratospheric Aerosol
  • Upper Tropospheric Aerosol
Data Distribution

File Format(s):

ASCII

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Spatial Information

spatial-coverage-map
Spatial Coverage: (S: 37.1, N: 37.106), (W: -76.378, E: -76.3)
Spatial Coverage Type: Horizontal
Coordinate System: Geodetic
Granule Spatial Representation: Geodetic
Locations

NORTH AMERICA CONNECTICUT MAINE MARYLAND MASSACHUSETTS NEW YORK NORTH CAROLINA PENNSYLVANIA SOUTH CAROLINA VIRGINIA
Temporal Information

Temporal Coverage: 1982-06-14 - 2001-12-04
Platforms

Permanent Land Sites
GROUND STATIONS
GROUND STATIONS
LIDAR
Light Detection and Ranging
Metadata Dates

Created on 1999-01-15
Last updated on 2023-10-05