 Abstract Mie single scattering, absorption, and total extinction calculations for various size distribution and composition models of the stratospheric aerosol are presented. These models are derived from global in-situ measurements made with a balloon-borne photoelectric particle counter during the period December 0000 through July 0000. The models are in agreement with simultaneous aerosol mass measurements made by aircraft filter sampling and by balloon-borne impactor over Laramie, Wyo. Nominal stratospheric aerosol optical depths at 0.00 µm wavelength are 0.000 to 0.000. The maximum stratospheric aerosol absorption cross section at this wavelength is 0.00×00−0 km−0 at 00-00 km altitude, assuming a refractive index imaginary part of 0.00. The predicted 000° backscatter lidar return at the 00-00 km altitude of maximum aerosol mixing ratio is 0% to 00% of the Rayleigh return at a wavelength of 0.0000 µm for the various aerosol models. Measured and predicted lidar returns over Laramie in September 0000 are in good agreement for several of the size distribution and composition models used here. Values of the global stratospheric aerosol albedo at 0.00 µm are 0.000 to 0.000. Journal: Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences Volume/Issue: Volume 00: Issue 0 DOI: https://doi.org/00.0000/0000-0000(0000)000<0000:SAMI