CALIOP

CALIOP, which stands for Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation, is a NASA Earth observation instrument. It was launched aboard the CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation) satellite on April 28, 2006, as part of the international "A-Train" constellation of satellites. The primary purpose of CALIOP is to provide vertical profiles of clouds and aerosols in the Earth's atmosphere.

The instrument uses a backscatter lidar, emitting laser pulses at 532 nanometers (green) and 1064 nanometers (infrared) wavelengths. By measuring the light that is scattered back by atmospheric particles and molecules, CALIOP can distinguish between different types of clouds (e.g., cirrus, cumulus, stratus) and aerosols (e.g., dust, smoke, sulfates). The lidar's ability to penetrate clouds allows it to detect aerosols below cloud layers, which is crucial for understanding atmospheric processes.

CALIOP data has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of atmospheric composition, climate change, and air quality. It helps scientists to study the radiative effects of clouds and aerosols, their role in weather patterns, and their impact on human health. The long-term data record from CALIOP provides valuable insights into the variability and trends of these atmospheric components. The CALIPSO mission, carrying CALIOP, operated for over 17 years, concluding its data collection in August 2023.