AMOS Seeing Quality Measurements.
Abstract
During the month of August 1974, a series of experiments was conducted at the ARPA Maui Optical Station (AMOS) on Mt. Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii. The objectives were to quantify astronomical seeing conditions, and to determine if the seeing quality has been degraded by the presence of the site structures. Instruments used were an acoustic sounder (to probe the altitudes of 100 to 1000 ft), fine-wire microthermal probes (to measure local turbulence in and around the domes) and a Hartmann sensor (to provide integrated strengths of turbulence for the entire atmosphere). According to fine-wire probe data, local turbulence can be on occasion a significant factor in degrading seeing. These sensors noted some thermal contamination from one of the domes which was in a nearly operational configuration. The acoustic sounder indicated that the strengths of turbulence in 100 to 1000 ft altitude are not sufficient to degrade seeing. Finally, the Hartmann device recorded significantly more degradation than was seen by either of the other two probes. Hence we speculate that there is significant turbulence at high altitude temperature inversions such as at the tropopause.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA344935
Entities
People
- Darryl P. Greenwood
- Donald O. Tarazano
- Duane A. Haugen
- J. C. Kaimal
- Jim Newman
Organizations
- Rome Laboratory