Research Activities

Noctilucent Cloud Observations
SEE ALSO Middle Atmosphere Temperatures

For the past eight years (1994 through 2001) extensive summertime measurements have been carried out using the Rayleigh lidar. These summer observationscover the period from mid-June through late August. From these observations, over 240 hours of noctilucent clouds have been detected by the lidar. These unique observations enable us to study detailed characteristics of the clouds such as their height, thickness, backscatter ratio, and temporal evolution.

These observations have revealed significant day to day variability in cloud features as well as in their presence. These data have been organized and are presented below at a temporal resolution of 1 minute and a vertical resolution of 192 meters.

NLC Detection Summary Plots
1994/1995	1996

We have also analyzed all 3 years of NLC data to derive the centroid height, peak magnitude, and full-width half maximum for all seventeen events.

Middle Atmosphere Temperatures

NLC photo by Pekka Parviainen©, see the University of Colorado for more general information on NLC research and photos