The Arctic Lidar Observatory for Middle Atmosphere Research (ALOMAR) was inaugurated in June 1994 and is located on the island Andoya (69 degrees 30' N, 16 00' E) in Northern Norway. ALOMAR is an international centre for studies of the arctic middle atmosphere (the height range 10-100 km). Through the use of three ground-based lidar instruments (with five lasers), one VHF and one MF radar system it will provide information about the dynamical and photochemical processes in the middle atmosphere, including the state and development of the ozone layer. The lidars (light detection and ranging) use laser light scattered from atmospheric molecules, atoms and aerosols to measure density, temperature, winds, aerosol content and selected trace gases. Ad hoc and routine measurements will be efficiently carried out at ALOMAR, using both the basic instrumentation mentioned above and other supporting experiments. The facility provides the international science community with the opportunity for year-round, in-depth studies of the arctic middle atmosphere. The paper will briefly describe the new facility and its scientific aims.
