Balloon-borne Optical Particle Counter Research Articles

A study of optical scattering modelling for mixed-phase polar stratospheric clouds

Abstract. Scattering codes are used to study the optical properties of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs). Particle backscattering and depolarization coefficients can be computed with available scattering codes once the particle size distribution (PSD) is known and a suitable refractive index is assumed. However, PSCs often appear as external mixtures of supercooled ternary solution (STS) droplets, solid nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) and possibly ice particles, making the assumption of a single refractive index and a single morphology to model the scatterers questionable. Here we consider a set of 15 coincident measurements of PSCs above McMurdo Station, Antarctica, using ground-based lidar, a balloon-borne optical particle counter (OPC) and in situ observations taken by a laser backscattersonde and OPC during four balloon stratospheric flights from Kiruna, Sweden. This unique dataset of microphysical and optical observations allows us to test the performances of optical scattering models when both spherical and aspherical scatterers of different composition and, possibly, shapes are present. We consider particles as STS if their radius is below a certain threshold value Rth and NAT or possibly ice if it is above it. The refractive indices are assumed known from the literature. Mie scattering is used for the STS, assumed spherical. Scattering from NAT particles, considered spheroids of different aspect ratio (AR), is treated with T-matrix results where applicable. The geometric-optics–integral-equation approach is used whenever the particle size parameter is too large to allow for a convergence of the T-matrix method. The parameters Rth and AR of our model have been varied between 0.1 and 2 µm and between 0.3 and 3, respectively, and the calculated backscattering coefficient and depolarization were compared with the observed ones. The best agreement was found for Rth between 0.5 and 0.8 µm and for AR less than 0.55 and greater than 1.5. To further constrain the variability of AR within the identified intervals, we have sought an agreement with the experimental data by varying AR on a case-by-case basis and further optimizing the agreement by a proper choice of AR smaller than 0.55 and greater than 1.5 and Rth within the interval 0.5 and 0.8 µm. The ARs identified in this way cluster around the values 0.5 and 2.5. The comparison of the calculations with the measurements is presented and discussed. The results of this work help to set limits to the variability of the dimensions and asphericity of PSC solid particles, within the limits of applicability of our model based on the T-matrix theory of scattering and on assumptions on a common particle shape in a PSD and a common threshold radius for all the PSDs.

Measurement report: Balloon-borne in situ profiling of Saharan dust over Cyprus with the UCASS optical particle counter

Abstract. This paper presents measurements of mineral dust concentration in the diameter range from 0.4 to 14.0 µm with a novel balloon-borne optical particle counter, the Universal Cloud and Aerosol Sounding System (UCASS). The balloon launches were coordinated with ground-based active and passive remote-sensing observations and airborne in situ measurements with a research aircraft during a Saharan dust outbreak over Cyprus from 20 to 23 April 2017. The aerosol optical depth at 500 nm reached values up to 0.5 during that event over Cyprus, and particle number concentrations were as high as 50 cm−3 for the diameter range between 0.8 and 13.9 µm. Comparisons of the total particle number concentration and the particle size distribution from two cases of balloon-borne measurements with aircraft observations show reasonable agreement in magnitude and shape despite slight mismatches in time and space. While column-integrated size distributions from balloon-borne measurements and ground-based remote sensing show similar coarse-mode peak concentrations and diameters, they illustrate the ambiguity related to the missing vertical information in passive sun photometer observations. Extinction coefficient inferred from the balloon-borne measurements agrees with those derived from coinciding Raman lidar observations at height levels with particle number concentrations smaller than 10 cm−3 for the diameter range from 0.8 to 13.9 µm. An overestimation of the UCASS-derived extinction coefficient of a factor of 2 compared to the lidar measurement was found for layers with particle number concentrations that exceed 25 cm−3, i.e. in the centre of the dust plume where particle concentrations were highest. This is likely the result of a variation in the refractive index and the shape and size dependency of the extinction efficiency of dust particles along the UCASS measurements. In the future, profile measurements of the particle number concentration and particle size distribution with the UCASS could provide a valuable addition to the measurement capabilities generally used in field experiments that are focussed on the observation of coarse aerosols and clouds.

Origin of non-spherical particles in the boundary layer over Beijing, China: based on balloon-borne observations.

Vertical structures of aerosols from the ground to about 1,000 m altitude in Beijing were measured with a balloon-borne optical particle counter. The results showed that, in hazy days, there were inversions at approximately 500-600 m, below which the particulate matters were well mixed vertically, while the concentration of particles decreased sharply above the mixing layer. Electron microscopic observation of the particles collected with the balloon-borne impactor indicates that the composition of particles is different according to weather conditions in the boundary mixing layer of Beijing city and suggests that dust particles are always dominant in coarse-mode particles. Interestingly, sea-salt particles are frequently identified, suggesting the importance of marine air inflow to the Beijing area even in summer. The Ca-rich spherical particles are also frequently identified, suggesting chemical modification of dust particle by NOx or emission of CaO and others from local emission. Additionally, those types of particles showed higher concentration above the mixing layer under the relatively calm weather condition of summer, suggesting the importance of local-scale convection found in summer which rapidly transported anthropogenic particles above the mixing layer. Lidar extinction profiles qualitatively have good consistency with the balloon-borne measurements. Attenuation effects of laser pulse intensity are frequently observed due to high concentration of particulate matter in the Beijing atmosphere, and therefore quantitative agreement of lidar return and aerosol concentration can be hardly observed during dusty condition. Comparing the depolarization ratio obtained from the lidar measurements with the balloon-borne measurements, the contribution of the dry sea-salt particles, in addition to the dust particles, is suggested as an important factor causing depolarization ratio in the Beijing atmosphere.

Aerosol microphysics simulations of the Mt.~Pinatubo eruption with the UM-UKCA composition-climate model

Abstract. We use a stratosphere–troposphere composition–climate model with interactive sulfur chemistry and aerosol microphysics, to investigate the effect of the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption on stratospheric aerosol properties. Satellite measurements indicate that shortly after the eruption, between 14 and 23 Tg of SO2 (7 to 11.5 Tg of sulfur) was present in the tropical stratosphere. Best estimates of the peak global stratospheric aerosol burden are in the range 19 to 26 Tg, or 3.7 to 6.7 Tg of sulfur assuming a composition of between 59 and 77 % H2SO4. In light of this large uncertainty range, we performed two main simulations with 10 and 20 Tg of SO2 injected into the tropical lower stratosphere. Simulated stratospheric aerosol properties through the 1991 to 1995 period are compared against a range of available satellite and in situ measurements. Stratospheric aerosol optical depth (sAOD) and effective radius from both simulations show good qualitative agreement with the observations, with the timing of peak sAOD and decay timescale matching well with the observations in the tropics and mid-latitudes. However, injecting 20 Tg gives a factor of 2 too high stratospheric aerosol mass burden compared to the satellite data, with consequent strong high biases in simulated sAOD and surface area density, with the 10 Tg injection in much better agreement. Our model cannot explain the large fraction of the injected sulfur that the satellite-derived SO2 and aerosol burdens indicate was removed within the first few months after the eruption. We suggest that either there is an additional alternative loss pathway for the SO2 not included in our model (e.g. via accommodation into ash or ice in the volcanic cloud) or that a larger proportion of the injected sulfur was removed via cross-tropopause transport than in our simulations. We also critically evaluate the simulated evolution of the particle size distribution, comparing in detail to balloon-borne optical particle counter (OPC) measurements from Laramie, Wyoming, USA (41° N). Overall, the model captures remarkably well the complex variations in particle concentration profiles across the different OPC size channels. However, for the 19 to 27 km injection height-range used here, both runs have a modest high bias in the lowermost stratosphere for the finest particles (radii less than 250 nm), and the decay timescale is longer in the model for these particles, with a much later return to background conditions. Also, whereas the 10 Tg run compared best to the satellite measurements, a significant low bias is apparent in the coarser size channels in the volcanically perturbed lower stratosphere. Overall, our results suggest that, with appropriate calibration, aerosol microphysics models are capable of capturing the observed variation in particle size distribution in the stratosphere across both volcanically perturbed and quiescent conditions. Furthermore, additional sensitivity simulations suggest that predictions with the models are robust to uncertainties in sub-grid particle formation and nucleation rates in the stratosphere.

Simultaneous aerosol measurements of unusual aerosol enhancement in the troposphere over Syowa Station, Antarctica

Abstract. Unusual aerosol enhancement is often observed at Syowa Station, Antarctica, during winter and spring. Simultaneous aerosol measurements near the surface and in the upper atmosphere were conducted twice using a ground-based optical particle counter, a balloon-borne optical particle counter, and micropulse lidar (MPL) in August and September 2012. During 13–15 August, aerosol enhancement occurred immediately after a storm condition. A high backscatter ratio and high aerosol concentrations were observed from the surface to ca. 2.5 km over Syowa Station. Clouds appeared occasionally at the top of the aerosol-enhanced layer during the episode. Aerosol enhancement was terminated on 15 August by strong winds from a cyclone's approach. In the second case, on 5–7 September, aerosol number concentrations in Dp > 0.3 μm near the surface reached > 104 L−1 at about 15:00 UT (Universal Time) on 5 September despite calm wind conditions, whereas MPL measurement exhibited aerosols were enhanced at about 04:00 UT at 1000–1500 m above Syowa Station. The aerosol enhancement occurred near the surface to ca. 4 km. In both cases, air masses with high aerosol enhancement below 2.5–3 km were transported mostly from the boundary layer over the sea-ice area. In addition, air masses at 3–4 km in the second case came from the boundary layer over the open-sea area. This air mass history strongly suggests that dispersion of sea-salt particles from the sea-ice surface contributes considerably to aerosol enhancement in the lower free troposphere (about 3 km) and that the release of sea-salt particles from the ocean surface engenders high aerosol concentrations in the free troposphere (3–4 km). Continuous MPL measurements indicate that high aerosol enhancement occurred mostly in surface–lower free troposphere (3 km) during the period July–September.

Aerosol properties over Interior Alaska from lidar, DRUM Impactor sampler, and OPC-sonde measurements and their meteorological context during ARCTAS-A, April 2008

Abstract. Aerosol loading over Interior Alaska displays a strong seasonality, with pristine conditions generally prevailing during winter months. Long term aerosol research from the University of Alaska Fairbanks indicates that the period around April typically marks the beginning of the transition from winter to summer conditions. In April 2008, the NASA-sponsored "Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites" (ARCTAS) field campaign was conducted to analyze incursions of aerosols transported over Alaska and the Canadian North. In and around Fairbanks, Alaska, data concerning aerosol characteristics were gathered by polarization (0.693 μm) lidar, DRUM Impactor sampler, and balloon-borne optical particle counter. These data provide information on the vertical distribution and type of aerosol, their size distributions, the chemical nature of aerosol observed at the surface, and timing of aerosol loading. A detailed synoptic analysis placed these observations into their transport and source-region context. Evidence suggests four major aerosol loading periods in the 25 March–30 April 2008 timeframe: a period during which typical Arctic haze conditions prevailed, several days of extremely clear conditions, rapid onset of a period dominated by Asian dust with some smoke, and a period dominated by Siberian wildfire smoke. A focused case study analysis conducted on 19 April 2008 using a balloon-borne optical particle counter suggests that, on this day, the majority of the suspended particulate matter consisted of coarse mode desiccated aerosol having undergone long-range transport. Backtrack trajectory analysis suggests aged Siberian wildfire smoke. In the last week of April, concentrations gradually decreased as synoptic conditions shifted away from favoring transport to Alaska. An important result is a strong suggestion of an Asian dust incursion in mid-April that was not well identified in other ARCTAS measurements. The lidar and OPC-sonde unambiguously discern aerosols height stratification patterns indicative of long range transport. Identification of a dust component is suggested by DRUM sampler results, which indicate crustal species, and supported by synoptic and trajectory analysis, which indicates both a source-region lifting event and appropriate air-mass pathways.

Comparative analysis of measurements of stratospheric aerosol by lidar and aerosol sonde above Ny-Ålesund in the winter of 1995 [Comparative analysis of lidar and OPC observations

Solid polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) layers observed by lidar and a balloon-borne optical particle counter (OPC) on 17 December 1995 are reexamined in a comparative analysis framework. The typical radius of solid particles in the observed PSC is determined through the comparative analysis to have been approximately 2.3 μm. A backward trajectory analysis for the air mass in which the solid particles were observed shows that the air mass had experienced temperatures 2–3 K below the frost point of nitric acid tri-hydrate (NAT) during the 4 days preceding the observations. The back-trajectory analysis traces the air mass back to northern Greenland and Ellesmere Island on 16 December, one day before the observations. A microphysical box model is used to investigate possible mechanisms of formation for the observed solid particles. The results of this model suggest that the solid particles formed under mesoscale temperature fluctuations associated with mountain lee wave activity induced by the relatively high terrestrial elevations of northern Greenland and Ellesmere Island.

Seasonal and annual variations of aerosol concentrations in the troposphere and stratosphere over Syowa Station observed by a balloon-borne optical particle counter

Seasonal and annual variations of aerosol concentrations in the troposphere and stratosphere over Syowa Station observed by a balloon-borne optical particle counter

Study of atmospheric aerosols and mixing layer by LIDAR

The LIDAR (laser radar) is an active remote sensing technique, which allows for the altitude-resolved observation of several atmospheric constituents. A typical application is the measurement of the vertically resolved aerosol optical properties. By using aerosol particles as a marker, continuous determination of the mixing layer height (MLH) can also be obtained by LIDAR. Some examples of aerosol extinction coefficient profiles and MLH extracted from a 1-year LIDAR data set collected in Milan (Italy) are discussed and validated against in situ data (from a balloon-borne optical particle counter). Finally a comparison of the observation-based MLH with relevant numerical simulations (mesoscale model MM5) is provided.

Balloon-borne observations of high aerosol concentrations near the summertime tropopause over the Tibetan Plateau

Vertical profiles of aerosols (radii ≥ 0.15 μm) were measured using a balloon-borne optical particle counter at Lhasa (29.4°N, 91.1°E, 3650 m a.s.l.), China in 1999. The measurements display occurrences of relatively high number concentrations (0.7–0.8 particles cm − 3 ) of sub-micron size aerosols with radii = 0.15–0.6 μm near the tropopause region (between about 130 and 70 hPa) in the Asian summer monsoon period. Size distributions of the observed aerosols are clearly different from those of cirrus clouds. The high number concentrations occurred inside the Tibetan anticyclone, suggesting that these were triggered by deep convection over the Tibetan Plateau. Convective transportation of lower tropospheric materials may affect atmospheric constituents near the tropopause region. In addition, the effects of adiabatic cooling and hydration associated with deep convection may also trigger enlargement of pre-existing and/or vertically-transported aqueous solution droplets (e.g., liquid sulfate particles) near the tropopause region. Enhancement of the aerosols should be considered in assessing the global/regional climate system and the geochemical cycle.

Pool of dust particles over the Asian continent: balloon-borne optical particle counter and ground-based lidar measurements at Dunhuang, China.

Measurements of aerosols were made in 2001 and 2002 at Dunhuang (40 degrees 00'N, 94 degrees 30'E), China to understand the nature of atmospheric particles over the desert areas in the Asian continent. Balloon-borne measurements with an optical particle counter suggested that particle size and concentration had noticeable peaks in super micron size range not only in the boundary mixing layer but also in the free troposphere. Super-micron particle concentration largely decreased in the mid tropopause (from 5 to 10 km; above sea level, a.s.l.). Lidar measurements made during August 2002 at Dunhuang suggested the possibility that mixing of dust particles occurred from near the ground to about 6 km even under calm weather conditions, and a large depolarization ratio of particulate matter was found in the aerosol layer. The top of the aerosol layer was found at heights of nearly 6 km (a.s.l.). It is strongly suggested that nonspherical dust particles (Kosa particles) frequently diffused in the free atmosphere over the Taklamakan desert through small-scale turbulences and are possible sources of dust particles of weak Kosa events that have been identified in the free troposphere not only in spring but also in summer over Japanese archipelago. Electron microscopic experiments of the particles collected in the free troposphere confirmed that coarse and nonspherical particles observed by the mineral particle were major components of coarse mode (diameter larger than 1 microm) below about 5 km over Dunhuang, China.

Balloon borne optical particle counter for stratospheric observation

This article presents the ambient air pressure effects on a balloon borne optical particle counter (an aerosol sonde: AS) equipped with a laser as the light source, and the relevant measures to overcome these effects. To investigate the effects of ambient air pressure varying from 1013 to 10 hPa (from ground level to an altitude of about 30 km) and estimate the general performance of the AS, a novel versatile pressure-variable test chamber was constructed equipped with a built-in nebulizer system. To overcome the direct effect of ambient air pressure on the sensing zone occurring when an open cavity laser (an external mirror-type laser) is used, a flat parallel window was adopted in place of the Brewster window, and in addition, only the laser tube was sealed in an aluminum tube under normal atmospheric pressure. Consequently, the laser power change was suppressed to within ±0.5% for the pressure variation range. To overcome the large dependence in the aerosol sampling flow rate on the ambient air pressure, a new flow rate ratio (flow rate at low pressure divided by that at 1013 hPa) was defined to fall within the ±0.5% variation, as measured using a newly developed technique for measuring the flow rate ratio, owing to an incorporated gear pump system devised to be speed controlled through a pressure sensor. The nonlinear increase of the noise component with decreasing ambient air pressure is discussed, and shown to be overcome electrically, confirming the presumption that this increase is ascribable to the corona discharge caused by high voltage. Thus, for polystyrene latex spheres 0.1 μm in diameter, the developed AS maintained signal-to-noise ratio larger than 2–3 for the pressure variation, as revealed from analysis of the histograms obtained with a multichannel analyzer. Finally, actual field measurements were performed at Bandong, Indonesia, and the results were subjected to a cross-check with those obtained almost simultaneously at the same location using an established conventional sonde, confirming the satisfactory accuracy and reliability of the developed AS.

FEATURES IN NUMBER CONCENTRATION-SIZE DISTRIBUTIONS OF AEROSOLS IN THE FREE ATMOSPHERE OVER THE DESERT AREAS IN THE ASIAN CONTINENT: BALLOON-BORNE MEASUREMENTS AT DUNHUANG, CHINA

Vertical changes of aerosol concentration and size in the freetroposphere over the Asian desert areas were firstly observed using a balloon-borne optical particle counter at DunHuang, China (40°00′N, 94°30′E) (17 August and 17 October 2001, and 11 January 2002). In the free troposphere highly concentrated aerosol layers were frequentlyobserved, suggesting the importance of regional scale particletransportation over the Asian continent. Concentration ofparticles with a diameter larger than 0.15 μm was about 5–10particles cm-3 in the free troposphere.Particle number-size distribution in the free troposphereshows important contribution of super micron particles. Regionalscale transportation, in addition to diffusion of soil particlesfrom the lower atmosphere to the free troposphere through localand small scale air motions, is suggested by backward trajectoryanalysis of air masses containing super micron particles. The importance of horizontal transport of coarse size particles in the free troposphere was strongly suggested.Thickness of the boundary mixing layer, from distributions ofparticle concentration, was about 4 km in summer (17 August 2001)and apparently higher than the height of layers in fall (17 October2001) and in winter (11 January 2002), which suggest an active mixingof particles near the boundary in summer. In winter measurement(11 January 2002), strong inversion was found in the vertical profile of temperature, suggesting cold ground surface and vertically stable atmosphere near the ground.

Evaluation of aerosol measurements from SAGE II, HALOE, and balloonborne optical particle counters

Stratospheric aerosol measurements from the University of Wyoming balloonborne optical particle counters (OPCs), the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) II, and the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE) were compared in the period 1982–2000, when measurements were available. The OPCs measure aerosol size distributions, and HALOE multiwavelength (2.45–5.26 μm) extinction measurements can be used to retrieve aerosol size distributions. Aerosol extinctions at the SAGE II wavelengths (0.386–1.02 μm) were computed from these size distributions and compared to SAGE II measurements. In addition, surface areas derived from all three experiments were compared. While the overall impression from these results is encouraging, the agreement can change with latitude, altitude, time, and parameter. In the broadest sense, these comparisons fall into two categories: high aerosol loading (volcanic periods) and low aerosol loading (background periods and altitudes above 25 km). When the aerosol amount was low, SAGE II and HALOE extinctions were higher than the OPC estimates, while the SAGE II surface areas were lower than HALOE and the OPCs. Under high loading conditions all three instruments mutually agree to within 50%.

Observations of Stratospheric Aerosols by Balloon-borne Optical Particle Counter at Bandung, Indonesia.

The campaign of stratospheric aerosol measurement by balloon-borne optical particle counter was conducted four times from April 1997 to March 1999 at Bandung, Indonesia (6.9°S, 107.6°E). Within a few kilometers above the tropopause low aerosol mixing ratios were observed. The layer of relatively small aerosols (size ranges from 0.15 μm to 0.25 μm and from 0.25 μm to 0.4 μm in radius) resided at high altitudes around or above 30 km, while the layer of relatively large aerosols (size range larger than 0.4 μm in radius) resided around 23 km. Peak mixing ratio of the latter layer decreased year by year, suggesting the layer to be originated from the Pinatubo eruption in 1991. The height of the peak mixing ratio of the relatively small particles was relatively low on October 4, 1998, when the stratosphere above 23 km was in the westerly shear phase of the quasi biennial oscillation.

Springtime aerosol layers in the free troposphere over Australia: Mildura Aerosol Tropospheric Experiment (MATE 98)

A field campaign focused primarily on free tropospheric aerosol measurements over Mildura, Australia, at 34°S (Mildura Aerosol Tropospheric Experiment (MATE 98)) was conducted in the austral spring of 1998 to test for the current presence of a seasonal aerosol layering activity observed in the 1970s and to obtain additional characteristics that would lead to a better understanding of the phenomenon. Ground‐based lidar as well as balloon‐borne optical particle counters and backscattersondes with ozone sensors were employed. The results indicate that large horizontal scale layers are present and show that their structure is highly correlated with excess ozone. Particle concentrations in the layers were sufficient to measurably affect aerosol optical depth. The probable source is distant biomass burning regions, but a detailed understanding of associated smoke transport and evolution as observed over Mildura is incomplete.

Multiwavelength Aerosol Scatterometer for Airborne Experiments to Study the Optical Properties of Stratospheric Aerosol

In the recent past the role of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) and of stratospheric aerosol in polar ozone depletion raised the attention of the scientific community (Solomon 1990; Fiocco et al. 1997). The understanding of PSCs in terms of concentrations of particles, sizes, optical parameters, formation processes, and microphysics is relevant for evaluating their contribution to chlorine activation, dehydration, and denitrification of the lower polar stratosphere. In view of a better understanding of PSC properties, during the last few years joint lidar and optical particle counters (OPC) measurements were carried out in Antarctica (Deshler et al. 1991; Adriani et al. 1992). While the OPC was able to assess particle concentrations and sizing, the lidar could give a contemporary measurement of the aerosol volume cross section for backscattered signals and information on the depolarizing properties of the particles, hence their thermodynamical phase. In the approximation of the Mie theory, the two measurement techniques were compared to estimate the refractive index of the particles (Adriani et al. 1995). However, the comparison between lidar and balloon-borne measurements needs some care, due to differences in the sampling technique. The lidar is a ground-based instrument and the OPC is carried by balloons and moves with respect to the ground, so that the two measurements are not taken on the same air mass. Ancillary information about the wind speed profile have to be used to choose, among the lidar temporal sequence, the best lidar profile to be compared—at a given altitude—with data from the balloon-borne OPC, drifting with the

Balloon-borne optical counter for in situ aerosol measurements

A new balloon-borne optical particle counter has been developed to make in situ measurements of stratospheric aerosols. The intensity of light scattered at 60° from the forward direction by individual particles is measured. Aerosol number concentrations in seven size channels can be inferred. The counter has been calibrated using polystyrene and polyvinyl toluene latex spheres. There is good agreement between measured and calculated individual pulse intensities for aerosol with radii from 0.16 to 2.6 µm. The size resolution is limited by broadening of the pulse count/pulse height spectrum, arising mainly from the photoelectron statistics of photomultipliers. Stratospheric aerosol measurements have been made using this instrument at Kiruna (68°N, 21°E), Sweden, in February 1995, and at Aire sur l'Adour (44°N, 0°W), France, in 1992, 1993, and 1994. The uncertainties in the measurements are discussed. The retrieved aerosol concentrations and size distributions are presented, and shown to be broadly consistent with measurements made by the University of Wyoming optical particle counter.

SAGE II aerosol validation: selected altitude measurements, including particle micromeasurements.

Correlative aerosol measurements taken at a limited number of altitudes during coordinated field experiments are used to test the validity of particulate extinction coefficients derived from limb path solar radiance measurements taken by the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) II Sun photometer. In particular, results are presented from correlative measurement missions that were conducted during January 1985, August 1985, and July 1986. Correlative sensors included impactors, laser spectrometers, and filter samplers aboard an U-2-airplane, an upward pointing lidar aboard a P-3 airplane, and balloon-borne optical particle counters (dustsondes). The main body of this paper focuses on the July 29, 1986, validation experiment, which minimized the many difficulties (e.g., spatial and temporal inhomogeneities, imperfect coincidences) that can complicate the validation process. On this day, correlative aerosol measurements taken at an altitude of 20.5 km agreed with each other within their respective uncertainties, and particulate extinction values calculated at SAGE II wavelengths from these measurements validated corresponding SAGE II values. Additional validation efforts on days when measurement and logistical conditions were much less favorable for validation are discussed in an appendix.