Solar eclipse induced changes in aerosol extinction profiles: A case study of 11 Aug. 1999 solar eclipse using lidar at a tropical station Trivandrum, India

摘要

An experiment has been conducted to understand the 11 Aug. 1999 solar eclipse induced changes in the aerosol extinction coefficient in the troposphere and the lower stratosphere using the multiwavelength lidar system designed and developed in-house at a tropical station Trivandrum (8° 33′N, 77° E). Results of the measurements reveal an increase in aerosol extinction coefficient in the troposphere and a decrease in the lower stratosphere compared to control day. Six high altitude balloon ascents with 1680 MHz radiosonde were conducted from Thumba to study the eclipse induced variations in winds and temperature of the lower atmosphere. The study clearly reveals the cooling of the entire tropospheric layers with maximum of 5°C occurring below 15 km altitude. The changes in the temperature and the relative humidity during the eclipse are the key factors contributed for the observed aerosol extinction coefficient.