Aerosol Remote Sensing (ARS) based on automatic sunphotometer and lidar (AERONET/ACTRIS)

With its long-standing expertise in modelling radiative transfer in the atmosphere, the laboratory has internationally recognised expertise in remote sensing from space and from the ground. Its expertise covers a wide spectral range, extending from the ultraviolet and solar domains to thermal infrared and millimetre waves. The laboratory is therefore centre of expertise of the national AERIS center (Atmospheric Data and Services centre).

The laboratory is also involved in developing measuring instruments, deployed on the ground or on board aircraft to serve as space prototypes.

In addition, the LOA has developed an instrumental platform on the roof of the laboratory that continuously measures the composition of the atmosphere using a wide range of ground-based remote sensing instruments and in-situ measurements. It remotely controls another observation platform located in M’Bour, Senegal, and contributes to various other observation platforms (Observatoire de Haute Provence, Observatoire de Physique de l’Atmosphère de La Réunion). This instrumental activity is part of the National Observation Services (SNO PHOTONS/ACTRIS, SNO NDACC-France) and European (EARLINET/ACTRIS) and international (NDACC, AERONET) monitoring networks.

Finally, in recent years, the laboratory has developed a mesoscale modelling component that describes the life cycle of aerosols, clouds and precursor gases and their impact on the atmosphere from urban to continental scales.

The LOA’s research activities are carried out by two teams specialising in the study of aerosols and clouds respectively, which are also involved in cross-disciplinary research on aerosol-cloud interactions.