This lidar campaign has been an ongoing project for 15 years. We are hoping that the project can continue into the 2030s. The Chu research group could make some impressive discoveries with 2 full solar cycles of lidar data. But keeping a project continuous for 15 years and counting is no easy feat. Each year here has a cycle, denoted by the seasons.
The busiest season is the summer (approximately November through February). During the summer season Dr. Chu comes to the ice to repair and refurbish the lidar systems so that they’re ready for another winter of use. She also uses the time to further the training of the lead technician so that they can handle the many responsibilities of winter. As the systems get older they need more and more repair every year. Dr. Chu and her technicians work tirelessly to get the systems in the best shape possible for the winter season (while continuing to take lidar data throughout the summer as well).
Next comes fall (March through April). Dr. Chu must leave at the end of the summer to return to her responsibilities as a professor in Boulder. In the fall, there are usually much more clouds than other seasons. The sea ice melts after the summer season, so with all the open water there’s more moisture in the air. The lidar team gathers data when possible, as well as continuing the maintenance and troubleshooting of the lidar systems. They also have time to work on other projects, such as data analysis or outreach.
After that is the most important season, winter (May through August). From early May to mid August, the sun stays fully below the horizon so the lidar team can gather 24/7 higher quality nighttime data (weather permitting). This is the data that is used most by the research group, so wintertime is the most important season for the project. The lidar team focuses on collecting the best data possible (seizing every opportunity to run the systems).
Finally, spring comes around (August through October). Spring is a period of transition. The next lead technician flies to the ice in August and begins training with the last lead technician. During these months, the previous year’s lead teaches the new lead how to operate the systems, change flash lamps, replace cooling system filters, do daytime/nighttime configuration changes, make dye, troubleshoot and everything else they can about how to maintain the lidar systems. At the end of October, the new lead takes over and the previous lead leaves the ice.
Then the cycle begins anew, with Dr. Chu coming down for the summer season. With this cycle, the lead technician is required to be in Antarctica for 14.5 months (mid August through late October of the next year). NSF doesn’t allow anyone to be on the ice for longer than this (for safety reasons). The other lidar technician usually is only on the ice for 10-11 months. They come down in October, train on the systems with the lead and Dr. Chu, and then leave the following August (once the new lead has had a few weeks training). By repeating this cycle, the Chu research group has been able to keep the lidar systems running and gather valuable winter data year round for 15 years and counting.
