Global Micro Pulse Lidar (MPL) Data Network

MPLNET is a global network of micro-pulse lidar (MPL) systems. The MPL system is a single channel (523nm), autonomous, eye-safe lidar originally developed at the NASA Goddard Space flight Center (GSFC) that is now available commercially. The MPL system is used to determine the vertical structure of clouds and aerosols in the atmosphere. MPL data are analyzed to produce optical properties such as extinction and optical depth profiles of the clouds and aerosols.

The primary goal of MPLNET is to provide long-term data sets of cloud and aerosol vertical distribution at key sites around the world. The long-term data sets will be used to validate and help improve global and regional climate models, and also serve as ground-truth sites for NASA/EOS satellite programs such as the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) [http://virl.gsfc.nasa.gov/glas/] on the ICESat spacecraft (launch date December 2002). MPLNET is run by members of the GSFC Cloud and Aerosol Lidar Group (Code 912) [http://virl.gsfc.nasa.gov/] and is funded by NASA/EOS. Additional funding for research cruises at sea is provided by the NASA SIMBIOS project [http://simbios.gsfc.nasa.gov/].

MPLNET data products are divided into the following levels: Level 0; Level 1; Level 1.5a; Level 1.5b; Level 2a; and Level 3a. All MPLNET data products are described at [http://mplnet.gsfc.nasa.gov/data_overview.html].

Data Policy: Use of any images and/or data from MPLNET sites, field experiments, and cruises must be made with the authorization of the site/experiment PI. An offer of co-authorship on any publications, presentations, etc. must be made to the PI and his/her team if images and/or data are used.