Lidar Measurements of Upper Atmosphere Composition and Temperature

1989 to 1993 data from the CEDAR database contains lidar measurements of photocounts, relative neutral number density, and sodium or iron density. The dataset was collected by University of Illinois and Colorado State University lidar systems at locations including Arecibo, Hawaii, Urbana, and Fort Collins. It is maintained by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) High Altitude Observatory (HAO).

Use Cases

• Analyze temporal trends in sodium or iron density to study metal layers in the upper atmosphere.
• Derive neutral temperature profiles from photocount and relative neutral number density data.
• Compare atmospheric composition measurements across different geographic locations like Arecibo, Hawaii, Urbana, and Fort Collins.
• Use photocount data to calibrate or validate lidar instrument models and retrieval algorithms.

Strengths

• Multi-year temporal coverage from 1989 to 1993.
• Data from multiple distinct lidar systems operated by different universities.
• Measurements from geographically diverse sites including mid-latitudes and tropical regions.

Limitations

• Dataset is temporally stale, with the last recorded update in December 1993.
• Specific row counts, column details, and data volume are unknown.
• Winds data, a key atmospheric parameter, are explicitly noted as not being included in this database.

Provenance

Source

Coupling, Energetics, and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions (CEDAR) Data Base at NCAR/HAO.

Collection Method

Collected via ground-based and airborne Rayleigh, sodium, and iron resonance lidar systems.

Time Range

1989 to 1993, with specific campaigns in January-April 1989, 1990, October 1989, and March 1991 to August 1992.

Geography

Arecibo, Puerto Rico (18.35N, 66.75W); Hawaii region (20N, 155W); Urbana, Illinois (40.1N, 88.1W); Fort Collins, Colorado (40.59N, 105.14W).