Publication
SNODAR: measuring the atmospheric turbulence in the lowest 100 metres in Antarctica
Bonner, C. et al., 2006, IAU Special Session, 7, 23 | View on ADS (2006IAUSS...7E..23B)
Abstract
The Antarctic plateau has superb astronomical seeing above a turbulent boundary layer with a thickness of between tens of metres and a few hundred metres, depending on the site. We are developing a sonic radar, SNODAR, to measure the turbulence in the boundary layer from 10 to 100 metres, and, in particular, to measure the height of the boundary layer to an accuracy of 1 metre. Commercial sonic radars typically have a lower limit of about 30 metres, and have 30 metre range gates. The results from SNODAR should allow a confident assessment of the height at which one must mount a telescope in order to realise the superb free-atmosphere seeing from the Antarctic plateau, which has been measured at Dome C to be 0.27 arcsecs on average, and better than 0.15 arcsecs for 25% of the time.
Tags
This publication has been tagged as:
Characteristics/Boundary layer turbulence
Hemisphere/Antarctic
Site/Dome C (Concordia Station)
Type/Instrument design