Abstract View
Introducing the Culebra Aerosol Research Lidar Project
JENS LAUTENBACH, Pedrina Terra, Josef Hoeffner, Arecibo Observatory - UCF
Abstract Number: 715
Working Group: Instrumentation and Methods
Abstract
This poster presentation introduces and gives the status of the Culebra Aerosol Research Lidar (CARLA) project funded by the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust.
CARLA’s research instrument, an innovative high spectral resolution aerosol lidar is under development at the main site of the Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico. It will provide the scientific community with height resolved aerosol data at a Caribbean location. This includes dust coming across the Atlantic Ocean from the African continent that is named Saharan Air Layer (SAL). The SAL plays an important role in the lower atmosphere because it affects cloud and hurricane formation, weather, and the health of our population, among others. Based on SAL’s track, CARLA will be deployed at the Remote Optica Facility of the Arecibo Observatory in Culebra Island. Culebra Island is located around 20 miles east of Puerto Rico mainland and a unique site to investigate the SAL before it reaches Puerto Rico mainland. The purpose of the CARLA project is twofold: (a) study and provide data to the scientific community of aerosol properties and SAL over the island of Culebra, and (b) increase opportunities for the educational system by outreach activities for Puerto Rico’s K-12 schools as well as for university students to perform hands-on research experience.