Multi-instrument characterization of optical turbulence at the Ali observatory

[摘要] In order to characterize the atmospheric optical turbulence at Ali observatory, we have deployed multi-instruments, which are able to continuously monitor the optical turbulence for site evaluation. These instruments include the DIMM, MASS, Single Star SCIDAR and Polaris seeing monitor, and we also plan to install SNODAR and Micro-thermal sensors for the turbulence on surface layer by the end of this year. This configuration allows us to collect a substantial database and make cross-comparison of the results. We have successfully obtained the profiles of optical turbulence and wind speed with Single Star SCIDAR, as well as the key parameters for adaptive optics application, such as seeing, coherence time, and isoplanatic angle. The DIMM seeing measurements are also carried out simultaneously. The median seeing measured by the DIMM and SSS in 2013 is 0.69 and 0.79 arcsec, respectively.

[发布机构] National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing; 100012, China^1;Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, Laboratoire Lagrange, Nice Cedex 2; 06108, France^2

[效力级别] 地球科学

[关键词] Coherence time;Instrument characterization;Isoplanatic angles;Micro thermal sensor;Optical turbulence;Optics application;Seeing monitors;Site evaluation