Lase Sensing of Atmosphere

The Lidar Atmospheric Sensing Experiment (LASE) is the first fully-engineered, autonomous Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) System for the measurement of water vapor in the troposphere (aerosol and cloud measurements are included). Water vapor exists in the atmosphere only in small amounts, but it plays a big role in many important atmospheric processes. For example, water vapor is a fundamental part of the atmospheric energy budget, global water cycle, atmospheric chemistry, and transport processes of pollution. We present the use of Lidar Atmospheric Sensing Experiment (LASE) system to obtain comprehensive, remote water vapor observations for a better understanding of its many roles in the atmosphere.