Lidar ceilometer

Chilbolton is also equipped with a 905 nm lidar ceilometer. This instrument is much more sensitive to small particles than the radar, getting a much stronger return signal from liquid water clouds.

The ceilometer can detect aerosol particles in the lowest 2 km of the atmosphere. Scientists use the ceilometer to measure the sizes of precipitation particle and to discover whether a cloud colder than zero degrees is made up of ice or water. The latest results from the ceilometer can be found on the Chilbolton weather web.

To see measurements taken with the IR lidar ceilometer look in the research section of the site.

Details of the ceilometer