FESTER: a propagation experiment, overview and first results

Christian Eisele; Dirk Peter Seiffer; Karin Stein; Erik Sucher; Willem H. Gunter; Faith February; George Vrahimis; Carl Wainman; Benita Maritz; Mokete S. Koago; Alexander M. J. van Eijk; Miranda van Iersel; Leo H. Cohen; Sven A. van Binsbergen; H. J. M. (Eric) Heemskerk; Armin Sternberg; Helmut Schulte; Arthur D. van Rheenen; Erik Brenthagen; Jan B. Thomassen; Derek Griffith

doi:10.1117/12.2240771

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19 October 2016 FESTER: a propagation experiment, overview and first results

Christian Eisele, Dirk Peter Seiffer, Karin Stein, Erik Sucher, Willem H. Gunter, Faith February, George Vrahimis, Carl Wainman, Benita Maritz, Mokete S. Koago, Alexander M. J. van Eijk, Miranda van Iersel, Leo H. Cohen, Sven A. van Binsbergen, H. J. M. (Eric) Heemskerk, Armin Sternberg, Helmut Schulte, Arthur D. van Rheenen, Erik Brenthagen, Jan B. Thomassen, Derek Griffith

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Proceedings Volume 10002, Optics in Atmospheric Propagation and Adaptive Systems XIX; 1000208 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2240771
Event: SPIE Remote Sensing, 2016, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

A long term field trial called FESTER (First European South African Transmission Experiment) has been conducted by an international collaboration of research organizations during the course of almost one year at False Bay, South Africa. Main objectives of the experiment are a better insight into atmospherical effects on propagation of optical radiation, a deeper understanding of the effects of (marine) aerosols on transmission, and the connection of the mentioned effects to the general meteorological and oceanographic conditions/parameters. Modelling of wakes and possible infrared-radar synergy effects are further points of interest. The duration of one year ensures the coverage of most of the relevant meteorological conditions during the different seasons. While some measurements have been performed by permanent installations, others have been performed during intensive observation periods (IOP). These IOPs took place every two to three months to ensure seasonal changes. The IOPs lasted two weeks. We will give an overview of the general layout of the experiment and report on first results. An outlook on the planned analysis of the acquired data, which includes linkage to the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF), will be given.

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Christian Eisele, Dirk Peter Seiffer, Karin Stein, Erik Sucher, Willem H. Gunter, Faith February, George Vrahimis, Carl Wainman, Benita Maritz, Mokete S. Koago, Alexander M. J. van Eijk, Miranda van Iersel, Leo H. Cohen, Sven A. van Binsbergen, H. J. M. (Eric) Heemskerk, Armin Sternberg, Helmut Schulte, Arthur D. van Rheenen, Erik Brenthagen, Jan B. Thomassen, and Derek Griffith "FESTER: a propagation experiment, overview and first results", Proc. SPIE 10002, Optics in Atmospheric Propagation and Adaptive Systems XIX, 1000208 (19 October 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2240771

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