LIDAR vertical profiles captured stratospheric temperature and density over Antarctica to study Polar Stratospheric Clouds. The IFA/CNR instrument at McMurdo Base collected data from 1991 to 1992, with 30-minute measurements approximately every four days. Profiles cover altitudes from 25 km up to 40 km.
Use Cases
- Analyze temporal evolution of stratospheric temperature profiles from 25-40 km altitude to study seasonal patterns over Antarctic winter and spring.
- Investigate correlations between aerosol load data from the main polarization channel and temperature profiles to understand PSC formation conditions.
- Use cross-polarization channel data alongside temperature profiles to infer optical properties of PSC particles.
- Validate atmospheric models by comparing simulated stratospheric density and temperature against the 30-minute measurement profiles.
- Study the end-of-spring season atmospheric state across 1991 and 1992 using the consecutive time-series measurements.
Strengths
- Vertical profiles cover a 15 km range from 25 km to 40 km altitude.
- Data collection spans multiple seasons including entire winter and spring periods across successive years.
- Measurements were taken with a specialized photon-counting channel installed for temperature accuracy.
Limitations
- Temporal coverage is limited to 1991-1992, making the data historically valuable but potentially stale for current climate studies.
- Sampling frequency of approximately one 30-minute profile every four days provides sparse temporal resolution.
- Geographic scope is restricted to a single location at McMurdo Base, Antarctica.
Provenance
- Source
- SCIOPS, via NASA Earthdata.
- Collection Method
- Ground-based LIDAR measurements using a 41.5 cm diameter telescope, a laser with power >100 mJ, and acquisition channels for main and cross polarization.
- Time Range
- 1991 to 1992.
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- McMurdo Station, Antarctica.