Atmospheric Visibility Measurements at China Lake: A 5-Year Nephelometry Summary
Abstract
Visibility impairment directly affects the performance of optical data gathering instrumentation used at the Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, Calif. As weapons systems become more complex, test requirements push optical instrumentation systems to their limits. Any increased visibility degradation poses a serious problem for operations on NWC's ranges. In response to the interest in visibility, a monitoring program was initiated in 1975 to provide baseline nephelometry data and to establish usable theoretical relationships between light, eye, and the atmosphere that would permit calculations of visual range. A brief discussion is given of the atmosphere's ability to attenuate light, and the meteorological conditions that contribute to the concentration of suspended aerosols in the China Lake area are discussed. Analysis of the 5-year data base indicates that significant variations in visibility occur on an annual, seasonal, and diurnal basis. These data are presented in graphical form indicating periods of highest and lowest visibilities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA116794
Entities
People
- A. R. Kelso
Organizations
- Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake