LIDAR for measuring atmospheric extinction

M. Dawsey; G. Gimmestad; D. Roberts; J. McGraw; P. Zimmer; J. Fitch

doi:10.1117/12.673110

30 June 2006 LIDAR for measuring atmospheric extinction

M. Dawsey, G. Gimmestad, D. Roberts, J. McGraw, P. Zimmer, J. Fitch

Proceedings Volume 6270, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems; 62701F (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.673110
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2006, Orlando, Florida , United States

Abstract

The Georgia Tech Research Institute and the University of New Mexico are developing a compact, rugged, eye safe lidar (laser radar) to be used specifically for measuring atmospheric extinction in support of the second generation of the CCD/Transit Instrument (CTI-II). The CTI-II is a 1.8 meter telescope that will be used to accomplish a precise timedomain imaging photometric and astrometric survey at the McDonald Observatory in West Texas. The supporting lidar will enable more precise photometry by providing real-time measurements of the amount of atmospheric extinction as well as its cause, i.e. low-lying aerosols, dust or smoke in the free troposphere, or high cirrus. The goal of this project is to develop reliable, cost-effective lidar technology for any observatory. The lidar data can be used to efficiently allocate observatory time and to provide greater integrity for ground-based data. The design is described in this paper along with estimates of the lidar's performance.

Citation Download Citation

M. Dawsey, G. Gimmestad, D. Roberts, J. McGraw, P. Zimmer, and J. Fitch "LIDAR for measuring atmospheric extinction", Proc. SPIE 6270, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems, 62701F (30 June 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.673110

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