Nighttime aerosol optical depth measurements in the Arctic: development of a lunar photometer for use in Barrow, Alaska

The lunar photometry project is intended to further develop and deploy a lunar tracking spectral radiometer at the NOAA Barrow Observatory for the purpose of determining aerosol optical depth at the times of day and year when the traditional methods utilizing the sun to this purpose are not possible. Considering the current substantial interest in aerosol pollution and related climate forcing in the Arctic, the project is especially relevant in the Arctic regions where much of the year's aerosol optical depth data is lost.