As reported in May, all the ARM sites are benefiting from new and upgraded micropulse lidars. This month, the new lidar was received in Darwin, Australia, with training provided by a representative of Sigma Space Corporation, the manufacturer of the instrument. The other two sites in ARM’s Tropical Western Pacific locale—Manus and Nauru Island—will receive their new lidars during a regularly scheduled maintenance visit to the remote islands later this year.

Training on the new lidar covers installation, which is fairly straightforward, and the more complex repairs. Because the lidar is a sophisticated laser instrument, it requires laser safety training, special laser goggles, and a baseline eye examination for all technicians authorized to replace the laser diode module. ARM operations personnel are developing a video of the setup process to assist with the installation and training for new users.