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Project title

n/a

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)

Lead Applicant

Colin O'Dowd

Project Abstract

Specification: The MIRA is a Ka-band (33-37GHz/8.7 mm) doppler cloud radar with sensitivity allowing observations of light to heavy clouds. It is designed for unattended long-term operation. This will be the first deployment of such a radar in a temperate oceanic environment. Rational: The cloud radar will deliver cloud micro-physical parameters such as liquid water path and effective radius. When used in conjunction with a ceilometer (lidar) and water vapour profiler, one can derive cloud droplet concentration. Additional properties such as cloud optical dept and precipitation are also retrievable products. The cloud radar will, in addition to the lidar and water vapour profiler, form a CLOUDNET suite which will be used in combination with an advanced suite of aerosol physics, aerosol chemistry and cloud condensation nuclei instruments to enable the most advanced aerosol-cloud interactions research programme to date. The research programme will specifically address the 1st and 2nd indirect aerosol radiative effect (i.e. the modification of cloud microphysical and radiative properties by aerosols and the impact of aerosols on precipitation and cloud lifetime, respectively). Funding: 77.78% of the cost is already funded by the HEA?s PRTLI4 infrastructures programme. The facility will be used for continuous monitoring and for participating in large scale intensive field campaigns such as the FP6 IP EUCAARI Supersite/Lagrangian Experiments.

Grant Approved

€100,750.00

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Sinks, and Management Systems

Start Date

09/04/2008

Initial Projected Completion Date

09/01/2009