Open AccessAirborne validation of spatial properties measured by the CALIPSO lidar
Author(s) -
McGill Matthew J.,
Vaughan Mark A.,
Trepte Charles R.,
Hart William D.,
Hlavka Dennis L.,
Winker David M.,
Kuehn Ralph
Publication year - 2007
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 - 10.1029/2007jd008768
Subject(s) - lidar , remote sensing , pathfinder , satellite , backscatter (email) , environmental science , atmosphere (unit) , aerosol , calibration , meteorology , geology , computer science , aerospace engineering , geography , physics , telecommunications , quantum mechanics , library science , engineering , wireless
The Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) satellite provides a new and exciting opportunity to study clouds and aerosols in the Earth's atmosphere using range‐resolved laser remote sensing. Following the successful launch of the CALIPSO satellite, validation flights were conducted using the long‐established Cloud Physics Lidar (CPL) to verify CALIPSO's calibration and validate various CALIPSO data products. This paper presents results of the initial comparisons made between the spaceborne CALIPSO lidar and the airborne CPL. Results are presented to validate measurement sensitivity and the spatial properties reported in the CALIPSO data products. Cloud layer top determinations from CALIPSO are found to be in good agreement with those from CPL. Determinations of minimum detectable backscatter are in excellent agreement with theoretical values predicted prior to launch.