An Overview of Hampton Universitys 48-Inch Lidar System

In 2004 Hampton University was the benefactor, via governmental surplus, of a world-class lidar system that is built around a 48-inch diameter-receiving telescope. LIDAR, is an acronym for light detection and ranging, which is the optical analog of microwave radar. The telescope for the LIDAR system has been positioned in HU´s Observatory so that data can be taken at the zenith, viewing the sky through the movable dome roof. The proposed research develops a new capable LIDAR at HU for investigating novel laser remote sensing techniques and devices to strengthen our remote sensing program. This paper outlines HU´s 48-inch lidar system, and the expected measurements it makes. Once the 48-inch LIDAR system is fully operational at HU it is to be a part of the Cloud-Aerosol LIDAR and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) Quid Pro Quo Validation program. The program is important in validating the calibration and algorithms for the CALIPSO data. Data was taken while CALIPSO overpasses, and comparisons made.