Optical measurements of atmospheric particles from airborne platforms: in situ and remote sensing instruments for balloons and aircrafts

Abstract

Multiwavelength laser backscattersondes (MAS) have been widely used from a variety of airborne platforms for
in situ measurements of optical properties of clouds and atmospheric particulate as well as their phase and composition.
Recently, a new miniaturized LIDAR (MULID) has been developed using state-of-art technology for
balloon borne profiling of the same quantities. A description of the two instruments, a survey of preliminary results
obtained during test flights and indications for future use are given.