1. NSF Consortium of Resonance and Rayleigh Lidars Haystack Observatory Sept 23-26, 2008 Four Guiding Lights Science Technology Community Education

2. Description What is CRRL? A university-based lidar consortium with applications to middle and upper atmosphere research. Often a centerpiece instrument, the lidar technique provides the most comprehensive measurement of range-resolved, neutral gas properties in the middle atmosphere and lower thermosphere. Products: The Na Wind/Temperature lidars have reached a level of robust and reliable operation whose measurements and scientific contributions make them an essential community asset. TemperatureWind

3. CRRL Director & Steering Committee University of Colorado PI: Jeff Thayer Collaborator: Jonathan Friedman, Arecibo Observatory Who is CRRL? NWRA Colorado Research Associates PI: Dave Fritts Co-I: Biff Williams CoRA UIUC University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne PI: Gary Swenson Co-I: Alan Liu CU - CTC University of Colorado PI: Xinzhao Chu Co-I: Wentao Huang CSU Colorado State University PI: Steve Reising Co-Is: Chiao-Yao (Joe) She and Titus Yuan Five CRRL PIs Richard Collins John Plane Rolando Garcia

4. Sites Where is CRRL? Andoya, Norway Cerro Pachon CSU CU UIUC CRRL Tech Center Site: Boulder, Colorado Location: 40°N, 105°W Elevation: 1655 m CSU Lidar Site: Fort Collins, Colorado Location: 41°N, 105°W Elevation: 1570 m CoRA Lidar Site: Andoya, Norway Location: 69°N, 16°E Elevation: 380 m UIUC Lidar Site (2008): Urbana, Illinois Location: 40°N, 88°W Elevation: 225 m Site (2009): Cerro Pachón, Chile Location: 30°S, 70°W, Elevation 2715m

5. Science Leadership: Expertise in mesosphere and lower thermosphere neutral physics and chemistry: non-linear wave dynamics, wind and thermal structure, metal chemistry, polar mesospheric clouds, climate trends… Science Productivity: 45 Published articles in Applied Optics, JGR, GRL, JASTP in past two years Science Technology: Technology innovations have advanced the field and these developments have led to science advancements in other fields Science Driver: Na W/T lidar is a centerpiece instrument attracting science campaigns, spacecraft validation, and model verification - Rocket campaigns in SOR, White Sands, and Andoya - Leonid meteor shower campaign at SOR - Multi-instrument collaboration at Maui-MALT, ALOMAR and Cerro Pachon, Chile - CSU diurnal cycle studies with TIME-GCM and TIMED SABER Science CRRL: Science

6. Challenges Facility Challenges: Keeping all Elements Well Balanced Data Science Leadership Science Driver Science Productivity Collaboration Outreach Science Technology Operations & Maintenance CRRL Tech Center Innovation Education Training

7. Challenges Facility Challenges: As a University-Based Facility, Budgets Impact Students Student Impact: Students serve as the work force for operations, maintenance, technology development, science productivity, and future innovations. Budget Impact: Facility budget fluctuations and pressures related to operations and data for community usage has a direct impact on students whose support requires consistency and stability to complete degrees