Optical turbulence measurements at a mountain ridge

Frank D. Eaton; Judith E. Miller; Sheldon S. Stokes; Kenneth H. Underwood

doi:10.1117/12.391875

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21 July 2000 Optical turbulence measurements at a mountain ridge

Frank D. Eaton, Judith E. Miller, Sheldon S. Stokes, Kenneth H. Underwood

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Proceedings Volume 4034, Laser Weapons Technology; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.391875
Event: AeroSense 2000, 2000, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

The optical turbulence conditions at a mountain ridge (North Oscura Peak, White Sands Missile Range, NM) were determined from observations of fine wire sensors and a sodar (sonic detection and ranging). Both instruments provided the temperature structure parameter (C²_T) from which the refractive index structure parameter (C²_n) was calculated using local measurements of temperature and pressure. The fine wire measurements were used to calibrate the sodar. Atmospheric measurements shown include wind speed and direction, temperature, and solar radiation sensed horizontally as well as parallel to the west-facing slope. Of particular emphasis is the relationship of the sodar observations to solar radiation and wind speed and direction. The results are explained in terms of the geometry of the site and the mountain-valley wind regime. Results are shown as average range profiles of C²_n sensed at various zenith angles at different times of the day and as contours of C²_n in a vertical plane oriented normal to the west-facing slope.

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Frank D. Eaton, Judith E. Miller, Sheldon S. Stokes, and Kenneth H. Underwood "Optical turbulence measurements at a mountain ridge", Proc. SPIE 4034, Laser Weapons Technology, (21 July 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.391875

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