Arctic polar stratospheric cloud observations by airborne lidar

Journal Article · Wed Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1990 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL017i004p00381· OSTI ID:5470697

McCormick, M P; Poole, L R ^[1]; Kent, G S ^[2]; Hunt, W H ^[3]; Osborn, M T; Pitts, M C ^[4]

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1. NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA (USA)
2. Science and Technology Corporation, Hampton, VA (USA)
3. Wyle Laboratories, Hampton, VA (USA)
4. ST Systems Corporation, Hampton, VA (USA)

Lidar observations obtained from January 24 to February 2, 1989, during the Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition (AASE) mission further support the existence of two distinct classes (Types 1 and 2) of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs). Most of the Type 1 PSCs observed were formed by rapid adiabatic cooling and exhibited very low depolarization ratios and low-to-intermediate scattering ratios. Type 2 PSCs were observed in regions of lowest temperature and showed much larger depolarization and scattering ratios, as would be expected from larger ice crystals. PSCs with low scattering ratios but moderate depolarization ratios were observed near the center of the vortex on one flight. These may have been either sparse Type 2 PSCs or Type 1 PSCs formed by less rapid cooling.

• OSTI ID: 5470697
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 17:4; ISSN GPRLA; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540110*
ADIABATIC PROCESSES
AIRCRAFT
ARCTIC REGIONS
CLASSIFICATION
CLOUDS
DATA
DEPOLARIZATION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ICE
INFORMATION
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
OPTICAL RADAR
PARTICLE SIZE
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLAR REGIONS
RADAR
RANGE FINDERS
SCATTERING
SIZE
STRATOSPHERE
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE