Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Modeling Optical Turbulence and Seeing over Mauna Kea

T. Cherubini University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii

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S. Businger University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii

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R. Lyman University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii

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M. Chun University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii

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Print Publication:
01 Apr 2008
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/2007JAMC1487.1
Page(s):
1140–1155
Restricted access

Abstract

Atmospheric turbulence is a primary concern for astronomers. Turbulence causes amplitude and phase fluctuations in electromagnetic waves propagating through the atmosphere, constraining the maximum telescope resolution and resulting in telescope image degradation. Astronomical parameters that quantify these effects are generically referred to as seeing. Adaptive optics (AO) is used to reduce image degradation associated with optical turbulence. However, to optimize AO, knowledge of the vertical profile of turbulence and overall (integrated) seeing is needed. In this paper, an optical turbulence algorithm is described that makes use of the information on turbulence kinetic energy provided by a planetary boundary layer scheme available in the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5). Optical turbulence data collected on Mauna Kea during the 2002 site monitoring campaign are used to validate the algorithm, which has been implemented in operational runs of MM5 at the Mauna Kea Weather Center.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Tiziana Cherubini, Department of Meteorology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2525 Correa Rd., Honolulu, HI 96825. Email: tiziana@hawaii.edu

Abstract

Atmospheric turbulence is a primary concern for astronomers. Turbulence causes amplitude and phase fluctuations in electromagnetic waves propagating through the atmosphere, constraining the maximum telescope resolution and resulting in telescope image degradation. Astronomical parameters that quantify these effects are generically referred to as seeing. Adaptive optics (AO) is used to reduce image degradation associated with optical turbulence. However, to optimize AO, knowledge of the vertical profile of turbulence and overall (integrated) seeing is needed. In this paper, an optical turbulence algorithm is described that makes use of the information on turbulence kinetic energy provided by a planetary boundary layer scheme available in the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5). Optical turbulence data collected on Mauna Kea during the 2002 site monitoring campaign are used to validate the algorithm, which has been implemented in operational runs of MM5 at the Mauna Kea Weather Center.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Tiziana Cherubini, Department of Meteorology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2525 Correa Rd., Honolulu, HI 96825. Email: tiziana@hawaii.edu

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Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology

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