Raymond M. Hoff1 and Gelsomina Pappalardo2

1University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), 5523 Research Park Drive Suite 320, Baltimore Maryland, 21228
2Italian National Research Council (CNR-IMAA), Potenza, Italy

 

In 2008, the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) Science Advisory Group on Aerosols approved the creation of a global network of networks for atmospheric lidar, called GALION. The network will be described.  Consisting of networks operating in Asia, Europe, North America and South America, GALION has the potential to provide the only aerosol profile measurements on a semi-continuous observational basis as well as to provided calibration sites for satellite measurements of aerosols. Expansion of the network will require capacity-building in areas where there are few lidar groups at present.  It is hoped that active discussion of GALION in Latin America will encourage such development of capability in Central and South America.