Conference 7.286::space

503.0. "Atmospheric research for Aerospace vehicles" by ACUTE::MCKINLEY () Wed Feb 01 1989 16:57

             Giant laser telescope to probe the upper atmosphere
                 [from Machine Design, January 26, 1989, p14]

    [picture of green laser shooting into evening sky]
    [caption] The MegaLIDAR's laser beam penetrates the night sky at
              Hanscom AFB in Massachusetts.

    A giant laser telescope will soon begin remotely sensing the Earth's
    upper atmosphere, the largely unknown region that begins about 40 miles
    above the planet surface.  The MegaLIDAR (LIght Detection And Ranging)
    will help scientists to understand how upper atmosphere composition and
    disturbances, such as severe turbulence, can affect the flight of future
    aerospace vehicles.

    The telescope uses a pulsed Neodymium-YAG laser whose short, powerful
    bursts of light travel rapidly through the atmosphere.  Instruments
    inside the MegaLIDAR will analyze this reflected light to determine the
    make-up of the upper atmosphere.

    With its optical telescope, the MegaLIDAR can measure the altitude of
    clouds, the presence and density of different kinds of gases and
    aerosols (smoke, dust, etc.) in the atmosphere, wind velocities,
    turbulence levels and atmospheric density.  Strong optics in the
    MegaLIDAR enable measurements to be made on clear days as well as clear
    nights.


    [posted in SPACE, METEOROLOGY, and FLYING]

    "bursts of light travel rapidly"   Hmmmmm... Faster than the speed
    of sound no doubt.
    
    Sorry for the diversion,
    
    - dave