Surface Layer Variability of Optical Turbulence Observed From a Coastal Land Tower
Abstract
This research addresses the temporal and vertical variability of small-scale turbulence in the coastal environment represented by the structure function parameter for the index of refraction, 2, used to quantify the impact of atmospheric turbulence on electromagnetic and electro-optical wave (EM/EO) propagation through atmospheric scintillation. The measurements were made on a coastal 12-m scaffold tower during the Coastal Land-Air-Sea Interaction (CLASI) field campaigns in Monterey Bay, California, from June to October 2021. The results from this research show a diurnal variability of 2 unique to the coastal region and the impact of wind direction associated with sea breeze/land breeze circulations. The results also reveal the vertical variations in 2 seen from the three measurement levels on the tower and how such variability changes diurnally. The vertical variation was also found to be affected by the mean wind direction, particularly for the water vapor contribution to the total 2.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1213512
Entities
People
- Melissa N. Jonmoore
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School