Chilbolton Observatory

The Chilbolton Observatory in Hampshire is at the cutting-edge of world class atmospheric science, radar and radio research. Its state-of-the-art facilities and instruments help scientists understand more about the climate and its effects, and how the atmosphere affects communication systems. Operated by STFC, Chilbolton is also used to measure and evaluate transmissions from global navigation system satellites.

The Observatory is home to one of the world's most advanced experimental meteorological remote sensing facilities: the Chilbolton Facility for Atmospheric and Radio Research (CFARR), which is largely funded through the Natural Environment Research Council.

Scientists use Chilbolton Observatory's sophisticated radar, lidar (Light Detection And Ranging), and radiometer instruments to characterise the atmosphere by making detailed measurements of water vapour, cloud, aerosol particles and precipitation such as rainfall. These measurements are helping to improve the prediction of climate change and severe weather conditions. They also monitor how the atmosphere impacts upon radio communication systems. Research at Chilbolton helps scientists and meteorologists:

• understand how clouds form and develop into rain or storm clouds
• investigate the effects of cloud composition, such as ice particle shape and orientation, on the Earth's energy balance
• understand the properties and impact of aerosols in the atmosphere

One of the main research tools at Chilbolton is the 25m fully steerable antenna. The high-power 3 GHz radar (CAMRa) is installed on this antenna and can detect anything from aircraft to insects.

CAMRa provides high resolution, long range measurements of all types of precipitation such as rain, snow and hail. Other instruments include:

• cloud, rain and clear air radar systems
• doppler lidar for measuring the boundary layer turbulence in the atmosphere
• high power UV lidar for measuring aerosol and water vapour profiles
• radiometers for profiling water vapour
• disdrometers for measuring the drop size distribution of rain
• meteorological sensors

Chilbolton's 25m CAMRa antenna is also being used for the in-orbit testing of the Galileo satellites, Europe's first global navigation satellite system.

Designed to be more advanced than the current US GPS, Galileo will eventually comprise a global constellation of 30 satellites. Scientists at the Observatory, together with Surrey Satellites Technology Limited, are collecting the data necessary to assess the satellites' performance.

New instruments have been installed at Chilbolton which will enable scientists to improve weather forecasts and provide a new way to study the Universe.

The Met Office has installed a wind profiling radar which transmits pulses of radio waves into the sky and uses the reflected signals to analyse wind speed and direction at different heights.

A LOFAR (LOw Frequency Array) radio telescope is under construction at Chilbolton. It is designed to operate in the poorly explored 30-240 MHz frequency range, providing a new way to study the Universe.

Contact:

Charles Wrench
Head, Chilbolton Facility for Atmospheric and Radio Research
Tel: +44 (0)1235 446 427

For media enquiries please telephone: +44 (0)1235 445 627.

• Chilbolton Observatory factsheet (PDF - 939kB) (link opens in a new window)

Version 01 - April 2010

Further information about Chilbolton Observatory:

Chilbolton facilities
Chilbolton Weather Web
History of the Observatory
How to get to Chilbolton Observatory