Post by Oliver Lux

🤝 It was a pleasure to meet with Toshihiro Fujii and his research group at Osaka Metropolitan University to discuss the latest analysis of ground-based observations of ATLID’s UV laser beam by the Telescope Array in Utah. 🛰️ Originally designed to detect the faint UV fluorescence produced by extensive air showers from ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, the Telescope Array has proven remarkably capable of reconstructing the geometry—and even the energy—of ATLID’s laser beam as it traverses the atmosphere after being emitted from the EarthCARE satellite. 🔬 These unique observations provide an important ground-truth verification of ATLID’s in-orbit instrument performance, while the satellite’s laser beam simultaneously serves as an excellent calibration source for the Telescope Array’s detectors. It is a great example of how Earth observation and astroparticle physics create exciting scientific synergies that benefit both communities. 🍛 A big thank you to Toshihiro and his colleagues for the stimulating discussions, their warm hospitality, and a wonderful evening enjoying delicious izakaya cuisine together. Looking forward to our continued collaboration! #EarthCARE #ATLID #EarthObservation #CosmicRays #TelescopeArray #AtmosphericScience