A method of characterizing an aerosol, the method comprising: illuminating aerosol particles located within a measurement volume with a first electromagnetic radiation pulse emitted from a first source, wherein the first electromagnetic radiation pulse has a first wavelength range; receiving one or more first electromagnetic radiation returns that have been scattered by the aerosol particles illuminated by the first electromagnetic radiation pulse at one or more sensors; illuminating the aerosol particles within the measurement volume with a second electromagnetic radiation pulse emitted from a second source, wherein the second electromagnetic radiation pulse has a second wavelength range that is different from the first wavelength range; receiving one or more second electromagnetic radiation returns scattered by the aerosol particles illuminated by the second electromagnetic radiation pulse at the one or more sensors (106, 108, 110); wherein the first source, the second source and the sensors (106, 108, 110) are disposed on an exterior of a substantially flat surface or disposed in recesses within the substantially flat surface; wherein the sensors (106, 108, 110) comprise a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor; wherein the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor are disposed along a medial plane that extends away from the substantially flat surface at an angle normal to the substantially flat surface; and wherein the first source, the second source, and the first sensor are disposed along an axis that is perpendicular to the medial plane; determining, using a processing device, at least one first intensity based on the one or more electromagnetic radiation returns received by the one or more sensors; determining, using the processing device, at least one second intensity based on the one or more electromagnetic radiation returns received by the one or more sensors; determining, using the processing device, an aerosol parameter indicative of an average diameter of the aerosol particles, a concentration of the aerosol particles, a phase of the aerosol particles, or a particle type of the aerosol particles, wherein the aerosol parameter is based on an algorithm with a ratio equal to the at least one first intensity divided by the at least one second intensity, wherein the algorithm compares the at least one first intensity, the at least one second intensity, and/or the ratio with training data to determine the aerosol parameter, and wherein the training data includes measurements of aerosols with known concentrations, known average particle sizes, known phase, and/or known particle type; and outputting, by the processing device, the aerosol parameter for characterizing the aerosol. illuminating aerosol particles located within a measurement volume with a first electromagnetic radiation pulse emitted from a first source, wherein the first electromagnetic radiation pulse has a first wavelength range; receiving one or more first electromagnetic radiation returns that have been scattered by the aerosol particles illuminated by the first electromagnetic radiation pulse at one or more sensors; illuminating the aerosol particles within the measurement volume with a second electromagnetic radiation pulse emitted from a second source, wherein the second electromagnetic radiation pulse has a second wavelength range that is different from the first wavelength range; receiving one or more second electromagnetic radiation returns scattered by the aerosol particles illuminated by the second electromagnetic radiation pulse at the one or more sensors (106, 108, 110); wherein the first source, the second source and the sensors (106, 108, 110) are disposed on an exterior of a substantially flat surface or disposed in recesses within the substantially flat surface; wherein the sensors (106, 108, 110) comprise a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor; wherein the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor are disposed along a medial plane that extends away from the substantially flat surface at an angle normal to the substantially flat surface; and wherein the first source, the second source, and the first sensor are disposed along an axis that is perpendicular to the medial plane; determining, using a processing device, at least one first intensity based on the one or more electromagnetic radiation returns received by the one or more sensors; determining, using the processing device, at least one second intensity based on the one or more electromagnetic radiation returns received by the one or more sensors; determining, using the processing device, an aerosol parameter indicative of an average diameter of the aerosol particles, a concentration of the aerosol particles, a phase of the aerosol particles, or a particle type of the aerosol particles, wherein the aerosol parameter is based on an algorithm with a ratio equal to the at least one first intensity divided by the at least one second intensity, wherein the algorithm compares the at least one first intensity, the at least one second intensity, and/or the ratio with training data to determine the aerosol parameter, and wherein the training data includes measurements of aerosols with known concentrations, known average particle sizes, known phase, and/or known particle type; and outputting, by the processing device, the aerosol parameter for characterizing the aerosol.