Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) shoots intense laser pulses to the atmosphere. The backscattered light is collected and analyzed to give spatial distribution of aerosols in the air. This is a useful tool for studying aerosol transport. The current system is composed of an Nd:YAG laser and a 12-inch telescope mounted on a scanning platform. Data taken in 2003 shows the limitation of the system in the presence of background sunlight. The bulkiness of the system makes it difficult to operate and maintain.

Recently, miniature LIDARs with a range of 3 km have been demonstrated by research labs abroad. This is made possible by the emergence of compact, high power laser sources. A compact scanning LIDAR is currently being designed.