The NASA Micro-Pulse Lidar Network (MPLNET)

MPLNET Overview E.J. Welton, NASA GSFC Code 613.1 1/2008

http://mplnet.gsfc.nasa.gov

Tropopause

Cirrus

Transported Aerosol(Asian Dust, Pollution)

Boundary Layer(local aerosol)

Example of MPLNET Level 1 Data: Atmospheric StructureAltitude (km)

Time UTC

MPLNET Sites: 2000 - currentSouth Pole MPLNET Site: 1999-current

What is MPLNET?• A federated network of micro pulse lidar sites around the world, coordinated

and lead from Goddard Space Flight Center• Co-location with related networks, including NASA AERONET• Local, regional, and global scale contributions to atmospheric research

• Satellite validation• Aerosol climate and air quality model validation• Impact of aerosol & cloud heights on direct and indirect climate effects• Support for wide variety of field campaigns

Motivation:• IPCC - aerosol and cloud profiling requirements for climate studies• NASA Earth Science - NRC ACE mission for aerosol/cloud/ocean• A-Train and model validation

What’s New?• Release new version 2 products• Continue active publication record (+40 papers since 2000)• Participate in Monsoon Year field campaigns in India and Asia

Investigators, Partners, & Collaborators:• Principal Investigator: Judd Welton/613.1• Tim Berkoff/GEST/613.1 • Brent Holben/614.4 • Si-Chee Tsay/613.2 • James Spinhirne/613.1• Sebastian Stewart/SSAI/613.1 • Larry Belcher/GEST/613.1• James Campbell/SSAI • GSFC Aerocenter• Many other national and international partners

Micro Pulse Lidar (GSFC Patent)