EarthCARE’s atmospheric lidar provides cloud-top information

ESA’s EarthCARE satellite carries four instruments, one of which is the atmospheric lidar.

The atmospheric lidar is an advanced lidar (light detection and ranging) system designed to measure the vertical profile of aerosols and clouds in Earth’s atmosphere along the EarthCARE track. By emitting light pulses and analysing the reflected signals, this unique lidar can precisely provide the distribution and properties of aerosols and clouds, including their altitude, thickness and detailed optical properties and aerosol type. This information is crucial for improving climate models and understanding the role of aerosols and clouds in Earth’s energy balance.

Read more about EarthCARE’s instrument package