Lidar inelastic multiple-scattering parameters of cirrus particle ensembles determined with geometrical-optics crystal phase functions

Abstract

Cirrus clouds may be considered to be one of the most important objects that control the heat budget of the Earth-atmosphere system. Despite major efforts at its solution, the relevance of their microphysical and radiative properties to climate and climate feedback remains an unsolved problem in climate research. In this context the compilation of a global, statistically valid cirrus climatology is required.