Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-3019
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-3019
10 Jan 2024
 | 10 Jan 2024

A Light-Weight Holographic Imager for Cloud Microphysical Studies from an Untethered Balloon

Thomas Edward Chambers, Iain Murray Reid, and Murray Hamilton

Abstract. We describe the construction and testing of an in situ cloud particle imager based on digital holography. The instrument was designed to be low cost and light weight for vertical profiling of clouds with an untethered weather balloon. This capability is intended to address the lack of in situ cloud microphysical observations that are required for improving the understanding of cloud processes, calibration of climate and weather models, and validation of remote sensing observation methods.

From a balloon sounding through multiple bands of cloud, we show that we can retrieve shape information and size distributions of the cloud particles as a function of altitude. Microphysical retrievals from an imaging satellite are compared to these in situ observations and significant differences are identified, consistent with those identified in prior evaluation campaigns.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

28 May 2024
A lightweight holographic imager for cloud microphysical studies from an untethered balloon
Thomas Edward Chambers, Iain Murray Reid, and Murray Hamilton
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 3237–3253, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-3237-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-3237-2024, 2024
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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

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Clouds have been identified as the largest source of uncertainty in climate modelling. We report...
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