gabriele.fort-wydera@ilt.fraunhofer.de

First Light: Successful Deployment of EULIAA UV Lidar at the SPHINX Meteo Platform

Against the stunning backdrop of the Jungfraujoch at 3,578 m ASL, the EULIAA UV lidar system reached a major milestone with its successful deployment. Following careful helicopter transport to the SPHINX Observatory Meteo Platform, comprehensive analyses confirmed that all optical subsystems remain perfectly aligned – requiring no adjustments!

Only hours after installation, the system achieved its first light, demonstrating its robustness and readiness for high-performance operations under extreme alpine conditions. This marks a significant step towards using lidar technology to better understand and monitor atmospheric dynamics from the troposphere to the mesosphere.

The achievement is a result of years of collaboration and refined engineering by the EULIAA partners. Alongside the technical success, the breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers and peaks added a special touch to this milestone moment. Special thanks go to project partners, as well as partners HFSJG, Swissheli, and Jungfraubahnen, for their exceptional support.

Follow further updates from this high-altitude mission as the lidar begins its precision measurements to advance climate research.

A Spectacular Lift: EULIAA UV Lidar Installed on the SPHINX Meteo Platform!

A major breakthrough for the EULIAA project! The UV lidar system was airlifted via helicopter and successfully installed on the Meteo Platform of the SPHINX Observatory at 3,578 m altitude. Witnessing this state-of-the-art instrument being set against the high-alpine backdrop was truly an unforgettable moment.

Thanks to careful planning and collaboration, the lidar system became operational immediately after landing. Fine-tuning will ensure spectroscopic properties remain intact after the lift. This initiative is another step forward for climate research, bringing together expertise from EULIAA’s international consortium across five countries.

The team’s sincere gratitude goes to HFSJG, Swissheli, Jungfraubahnen, and everyone involved in making this happen, EULIAA team members, and Erich Furrer and Daniela Bissig from HFSJG. Follow the project for updates as this high-altitude lidar explores new frontiers in atmospheric science!

Breaking New Ground: EULIAA UV Lidar Takes to the Alpine Outdoors!

The EULIAA UV lidar system has successfully transitioned outdoors into the stunning alpine environment! Following its meticulous alignment process at 3,454 m—the highest railway station in Europe—the system was transported through tunnels to the cargo helipad “Terrace Glacier View”.

This step was made possible by invaluable support from HFSJG, Jungfraubahnen, and Thomas Furter, who ensured the safe navigation of the lidar setup through tunnels and elevators. Initial outdoor tests were a success, paving the way for this cutting-edge system to deliver high-resolution atmospheric data.

Thanks to the tireless effort of the EULIAA team members, we are ready to advance climate research from the alpine peaks. Exciting measurements await!

Final Countdown: EULIAA UV Lidar Ready for Jungfraujoch!

Preparations are complete for an exciting new milestone: The EULIAA UV lidar system will soon be installed at the SPHINX Observatory, situated at 3,578 m above sea level. Transported by helicopter to the Meteo Platform, this marks a groundbreaking step in lidar remote sensing for the stratosphere and mesosphere.

Key teams including Josef Höffner, Jan Froh, and Pablo Saavedra Garifas conducted final precision adjustments in tunnels prior to deployment, ensuring the system’s operational readiness. The fluorescence of the 386 nm laser verified beam alignments during these tests.

Special thanks to the High Altitude Research Station Jungfraujoch, Jungfraubahnen, Thomas Furter, and Claudine Frieden for their support and collaboration. Together with Fraunhofer ILT, Anne-Claire Billault-Roux, and Rolf Rüfenacht from MeteoSwiss, we are excited to take this leap forward in climate research. Stay tuned for results from this high-alpine environment!

Successful Completion of EULIAA’s First UV Lidar Campaign

The first EULIAA lidar field campaign utilizing ultraviolet wavelengths has successfully concluded at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence (OHP), Southern France. Over an intensive 10-week operation period, the lidar autonomously measured atmospheric conditions for over 500 hours, including an uninterrupted 12-day stretch of observations at peak performance.
Despite the region’s historic heatwave exceeding temperatures of 40°C, the lidar showcased remarkable resilience, even capturing data during solar elevations of 70°. Beyond its initial objectives, the lidar also detected the atmospheric iron layer at altitudes ranging from 80 to 100 km.
Following its return, maintenance and system refinement are underway in preparation for future deployments. Ongoing data analysis and cross-verification against reference systems will ensure robust results, which will be shared via Open Access.