Open AccessMultiwavelength lidar observation of a strange noctilucent cloud at Kühlungsborn, Germany (54°N)
Author(s) -
Alpers Matthias,
Gerding Michael,
Höffner Josef,
Schneider Johannes
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2000jd900666
Subject(s) - lidar , backscatter (email) , wavelength , ultraviolet , spectral signature , infrared , sublimation (psychology) , remote sensing , physics , atmospheric sciences , optics , geology , psychology , telecommunications , computer science , wireless , psychotherapist
On July 6/7, 1997, we observed a noctilucent cloud (NLC) by lidar at Kühlungsborn, Germany (54°N, 12°E) using four laser wavelengths (393, 423, 532, and 770 nm). While at the near‐ultraviolet and visible wavelengths clear backscatter signals were detected, the NLC did not produce significant backscattering at the near‐infrared wavelength 770 nm. The latter signature can not be explained by backscattering on any size distribution of homogeneous water ice spheres. In this work we discuss the spectral backscatter signatures of particles with various shapes and compositions. We found three different particle types matching the experimental results, but there are physical arguments excluding these candidates as well. Our lidar observations of this strange NLC event appear to contradict the common understanding of NLC particle formation and sublimation. We emphasize the importance of multiwavelength observations for an in‐depth interpretation of noctilucent cloud lidar backscatter data, including also the infrared part of the spectrum.