Ceilometre - definition
Ceilometre - definition
Ceilometer is a meteorological instrument used to measure the height of the cloud base above the earth's surface. Its operation is based on the analysis of scattered light, usually laser or diode pulses, sent vertically into the atmosphere. After reflection from the lower cloud layer, the beam returns to the detector, allowing the signal's time of flight to be precisely determined and the distance to the cloud layer to be calculated based on the speed of light.
Modern ceilometers use lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, characterised by high accuracy and the ability to continuously monitor atmospheric conditions. They allow not only the detection of the cloud base, but also, in more advanced versions, the observation of the multilayer cloud structure and the presence of aerosols in the atmosphere.
These instruments are widely used at airports, where accurate information on cloud heights is crucial to the safety of flight operations. In operational meteorology, they are an integral part of automatic weather stations. Their data are also used in climate research, atmospheric modelling and air pollution observations.
Structurally, ceilometers are usually compact devices equipped with an optical system, photodetector, and a data processing and recording system. They operate independently of lighting conditions, allowing them to be used both during the day and at night. The accuracy of the measurements depends on many factors, including the sensitivity of the detector, atmospheric conditions and the optical configuration of the system.
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