Development of Mie LIDAR system and initial cloud observations over Central Himalayan region

Abstract

Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) at Manora Peak (29° 22' N, 79° 27' E), Nainital is located in the Central Himalayan region at an altitude of ~ 1950 m. This free tropospheric site away from urban pollution has potential to study the dynamics of lower atmosphere. Taking advantage of its geographical location, a ground based monostatic pulsed Mie LIght Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system was developed indigenously at the site and made operational from January, 2010. The present paper describes the system details including its optical analysis and initial observations of thin and thick clouds for 2 and 27 January, 2010 respectively. The cloud thickness, vertical position, aerosol extinction and optical depth values were deduced for understanding the cloud dynamics at this pristine site. The observational results were validated with moderate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite level 3.0 data available for the site.