Turbulence Environment Characterization.
Abstract
This report covers some aspects of our investigations of atmospheric turbulence as it relates to the propagation of electromagnetic waves. The major emphasis in this report is a presentation and discussion of data obtained during the last year with a variety of experimental systems deployed at the ARPA Maui Optical Station (AMOS) atop Haleakala on the island of Maui, Hawaii. A brief discussion of the operational aspects and status of the instrumentation is also included. Estimates of the correlation scale, r sub o, were obtained on 24 nights (a total data set of 228 points) using the Seeing Monitor. The measured mean value is 9.6 cm with a range of (5.3 - 17.8) cm at 5000 A. The uncertainty in the measurements is estimated to be of order (5 - 10)%. Absolute calibration of the entire system is the major uncertainty. A variety of effects including trends and apparent nonstationarity effects were observed. Estimates of high altitude turbulence profiles obtained with the Star Sensor indicate a flattening and in some cases an increase in turbulent strength in the vicinity of the meteorological tropopause. Log-Amplitude variances integrated over the 36 cm aperture of this device have a mean value of 0.00058 and a range of 0.00015-0.00028. Nonstationarity effects were often observed. Comparative and simultaneous scintillation measurements show good agreement. Internal agreement of the optical observations with empirical turbulence profile information is not good. Rough agreement exists with theoretical calculations using the Hufnagel wind correlated model. Agreement with other observations is reasonable.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA038632
Entities
People
- M. G. Miller
- P. L. Zieske