Interferometric seeing measurements at the La Palma Observatory

We describe an interferometric seeing monitor is described which measures the wavefront perturbations due to the atmosphere directly, rather than depending on an assumed model for these perturbations. It is able to measure simultaneously both the spatial and temporal parameters of the seeing ($r_0\e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 1991-07, Vol.251 (1), p.155-166
Main Authors: Nightingale, N. S., Buscher, D. F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astronomy
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Fundamental astronomy and astrophysics. Instrumentation, techniques, and astronomical observations
Observation and data reduction techniques. Computer modeling and simulation
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Description
Summary:We describe an interferometric seeing monitor is described which measures the wavefront perturbations due to the atmosphere directly, rather than depending on an assumed model for these perturbations. It is able to measure simultaneously both the spatial and temporal parameters of the seeing ($r_0\enspace\text {and}\enspace t_0$) and to test theoretical models. Results are reported from the commissioning run on the William Herschel Telescope. It is found that the seeing at optical wavelengths is well described by a model where the perturbations are due to turbulence with Kolmogorov statistics, and evidence is shown that the outer scale of this turbulence is about 2 m at the La Palma Observatory.
ISSN:0035-8711
1365-2966
DOI:10.1093/mnras/251.1.155