European Atmospheric Research Lidar Cooperation of Science and Technology
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Atmospheric aerosols are small particles suspended in the air. Most of them have a short lifetime, typically lasting from a few days to a few weeks—especially near the Earth’s surface.
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Some smaller particles can rise to higher levels of the atmosphere. At these altitudes, they can remain in the air for much longer—even for several years.
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These short-lived atmospheric constituents originate from a variety of natural sources, but also human activities.
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Suspended in the atmosphere at different altitudes, aerosol effects on radiation and clouds play a major role in climate-relevant processes and in socio-economic sectors.
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Nowadays, advanced lidar systems are capable of continuous, unattended operation for regular atmospheric monitoring.
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Although highly effective, lidar systems still face challenges in calibration, data processing, and harmonised interpretation across networks – challenges that EARLICOST aims to address.
EARLICOST brings together the global aerosol lidar community to advance, harmonise, and transfer state-of-the-art atmospheric profiling technologies, improving our understanding of aerosols, clouds, and their impacts on air quality, climate, and society.
News
EARLICOST News | Successful completion of the AGORA International Doctoral Summer School 2026
June 22, 2026
The third edition of the AGORA International Doctoral Summer School on Atmospheric Characterization using In-situ and Remote Sensing Techniques has been successfully completed in Granada, Spain. Co-organized by the Doctoral School of Sciences, Technologies and Engineering of the University of Granada, the MSCA-SE project AERIS and the Cost Action EARLICOST, the school brought together early-career researchers, doctoral students and atmospheric science experts for an intensive training programme combining remote and on-site activities.
Participants received advanced training in atmospheric observations and remote sensing techniques through lectures, hands-on sessions and scientific projects covering topics such as lidar remote sensing, atmospheric spectroscopy, radar calibration, air…
EARLICOST at the EarthCARE Science and Validation Workshop 2026
June 17, 2026
The EarthCARE Science and Validation Workshop 2026 was successfully held in Oxford,UK on 8–12 June 2026. The workshop provided an open forum for the science community to present and discuss EarthCARE science topics and results, fostering international collaboration in the scientific exploitation of EarthCARE and growing its user community. Several members of the EARLICOST network actively participated in the workshop, reflecting the network’s contribution to the development of new EarthCARE products and the validation activities supporting the mission.
The workshop focused on a broad range of scientific and validation priorities, including:
Synergies with past, present, and future satellite missions, as well as ground-based and airborne observations
Applications for Earth…
New Publication: Hybrid methodology for optimised water vapour mixing ratio profiles from Raman lidar measurements
June 12, 2026
EARLICOST is pleased to highlight a recent publication in Atmospheric Measurement Techniques:
“Hybrid methodology for optimised water vapour mixing ratio profiles from Raman lidar measurements”
Water vapour is one of the most important constituents of the Earth’s atmosphere, playing a crucial role in atmospheric thermodynamics, cloud formation, radiative processes, and climate variability. Accurate and continuous observations are essential for improving our understanding of atmospheric processes and future climate projections.
The study presents a hybrid methodology for retrieving high-quality water vapour mixing ratio profiles from Raman lidar measurements. The proposed approach combines Raman lidar observations with GNSS-derived precipitable water vapour data and numerical…
AGORA International Doctoral Summer School: training school on atmospheric characterization using in-situ and remote sensing techniques (3rd edition)
May 27, 2026
We are honored to announce the upcoming 3rd edition of the AGORA International Doctoral Summer School on characterization of atmospheric aerosol using in-situ and remote sensing techniques, organized in the framework of the ATMO-ACCESS project.
When: 1–19 June 2026
Where: Andalusian Inter-University Institute for Earth System Research (IISTA-CEAMA), Granada, Spain
Format: Hybrid
This edition is co-organized by the Doctoral School of Sciences, Technologies and Engineering of the University of Granada, the MSCA-SE project AERIS and the COST Action EARLICOST.
The lectures provide fundamental knowledge in novel, advanced techniques for measuring atmospheric properties, covering in situ, remote sensing, and laboratory-based instruments. This hybrid…
We are pleased to announce the upcoming Joint EARLINET & EARLICOST Meeting, which will take place in Athens, Greece, from 8 to 11 September 2026.
The event will bring together the EARLINET community and the EARLICOST COST Action Working Groups for scientific discussions, coordination activities, collaborative sessions and networking across the atmospheric remote sensing community.
Venue
National Observatory of Athens (NOA) Kronou 7B, Penteli, Greece
Preliminary Agenda
Tuesday, 8 September 2026 09:00 – 10:00 | EARLICOST Core Group Meeting 10:30 – 12:30 | EARLICOST WG Meeting (all WGs) 13:30 – 17:00 | EARLINET Community Meeting
Wednesday, 9 September 2026 09:00 – 17:00 |EARLICOST WG Meetings
Thursday, 10 September 2026 09:30 – 12:30 | EARLICOST WG3 Meeting with…
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Atmospheric Sciences | RAM-DUST Project
May 20, 2026
We are pleased to share two open Postdoctoral Research Fellowship positions within the RAM-DUST project (“Atmospheric Transport of Aerosols to the Madeira Region: Dynamic Characterization, Integrated Modeling, and Environmental and Economic Impacts”), co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Madeira Regional Programme 2021–2027 (MADEIRA 2030). Research Areas: • Atmospheric Remote Sensing • Numerical Atmospheric Modelling The fellowships are open to applicants holding a PhD in Meteorology, Physics, Environmental Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences, Geophysical Sciences, or related scientific fields. Applications are open until 25 May 2026. Fellowship duration: Initial duration of 12 months, renewable up to 24 months. More information:
Atmospheric…
Connect the LiDAR community to advance and harmonize the most innovative features in lidar technology, and create collaborative hubs with industry and end-users to maximize the scientific and societal impact of atmospheric profiling.
Background
LiDAR systems, while highly effective and capable of continuous, unattended operation for regular atmospheric monitoring, face several operational challenges – including standardized calibration techniques, data processing and interpretation – which will be the main focus of EARLICOST.
Work Plan
The work plan is organized into four focused Working Groups and incorporates collaborative activities, workshops, and short-term scientific missions to maximize knowledge exchange and technical progress.
Vision
Establish a transnational, collaborative network bridging researchers, industry, and end-users to advance lidar-based atmospheric profiling through harmonized technology, standardized practices, and innovative multi-sensor synergies, ultimately transforming scattered expertise into a coordinated, high-impact community.
Working Groups
WG1 | Sensing Technology
Advance innovative lidar techniques (HSRL, fluorescence, thermodynamic profiling) and harmonise measurement methodologies, algorithms, and calibration procedures across Europe.
WG2 | Data Treatment and Synergies
Improve lidar data exploitation by enhancing synergies with complementary sensors and advancing microphysical retrieval algorithms for aerosol and cloud studies.
WG3 | Users’ and Stakeholders’ Engagement
Strengthen collaboration with industry and end users to facilitate technology transfer, define user-driven requirements, and maximise the societal and operational impact of lidar observations.
WG4 | Dissemination and Outreach
Coordinate communication, dissemination, and outreach activities, supporting European and international initiatives and ensuring broad visibility and uptake of EARLICOST results.
Advancing atmospheric lidar science to better understand aerosols, air quality, and climate
