• 34.675°N 33.043°E 10 m a.s.l.

Observational platform

Cyprus

• ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence

https://eratosthenes.org.cy/functional-areas/infrastructure-functional-area/

• D. Hadjimitsis
  PI deputy
• Rodanthi-Elisavet Mamouri
  Facility PI (since 1 Apr 2020)

The Cyprus Atmospheric Remote Sensing Observatory (CARO) is a remote sensing National Facility located in the center of the coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus, on the southern coast of the island in the Eastern Mediterranean. Operated by the ERATOSTHENES Centre of Excellence (ECoE) since 2020, CARO NF is strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. The site represents a strategic atmospheric observatory in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East and North Africa (EMMENA) region, where diverse climatic influences converge, including desert dust intrusions from North Africa, maritime flows from the Mediterranean Sea, and anthropogenic pollution from Europe and the Middle East. Equipped with advanced remote sensing instrumentation, CARO supports continuous, high-resolution measurements of aerosol, cloud, and precipitation properties across the Eastern Mediterranean.

CARO focuses on remote sensing of atmospheric composition and structure, emphasizing aerosol–cloud–precipitation interactions and their role in regional climate.
The facility supports advanced scientific investigations into Saharan and Middle East dust transport, marine aerosol formation, local and regional pollution episodes (e.g smoke, ash), and the impacts of atmospheric constituents on radiation balance and precipitation formation.
CARO’s connection to national and international research networks enhances transboundary atmospheric studies, supports climate resilience efforts, and contributes high-quality data for satellite validation and model assimilation. As such, CARO is well-positioned to serve as a strategic hub for capacity building, scientific training, and knowledge transfer within the EMMENA region, offering a unique platform for atmospheric research and international collaboration.

• Mamouri et al. (2023). Wildfire smoke triggers cirrus formation: lidar observations over the eastern Mediterranean. Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23(22), 14097-14114. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-14097-2023
• Ansmann et al. (2019). Ice-nucleating particle versus ice crystal number concentrationin altocumulus and cirrus layers embedded in Saharan dust:a closure study. Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19(23), 15087-15115. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-15087-2019
• Nisantzi et al. (2015). Middle East versus Saharan dust extinction-to-backscatter ratios. Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15(12), 7071-7084. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-7071-2015
• Nisantzi et al. (2014). Injection of mineral dust into the free troposphere during fire events observed with polarization lidar at Limassol, Cyprus. Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14(22), 12155-12165. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-12155-2014