Abstract

A global-scale model of background aerosol backscatter cross-sections at CO₂ wavelengths is being developed in support of feasibility studies for NASA’s prospective satellite Doppler Lidar Atmospheric Wind Sounder (LAWS). LAWS is intended to provide global-scale wind profiles in the troposphere and lower stratosphere (Baker and Curran, 1985). The accuracy and the global coverage of the retrieved winds from LAWS will depend critically on the local magnitudes and the global distribution of aerosol backscatter coefficients (Huffaker et al, 1984).

© 1987 Optical Society of America