Experimental Studies of Moonlight and Sky Polarization

Advisor: Joe Shaw

Our group has pioneered the use of polarization imaging for atmospheric science, including passive remote sensing of cloud thermodynamic phase – determining if overhead clouds are made of liquid ice droplets or ice crystals. We are now breaking new ground by transitioning these studies into nighttime by measuring scattered moonlight. This is an opportunity for an REU student to work with graduate students in deploying polarization imagers, operating a polarization lidar, launching weather balloons, and analyzing data. The student on this project should be interested in optical measurements and be willing to stay up late or get up early to obtain nighttime data.

You can read about a related REU project in 2021 , which is presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting.