Site Characterization of El Peñón: The Site of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope

Computer Science – Performance

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Scientific paper

El Peñón is located at the southwest end of the Cerro Pachón ridge in northern Chile. Since its selection as the LSST observatory site, detailed measurements of wind and atmospheric seeing have been conducted to help determine design and operating parameters. The wind measurements are made at 4 elevations (5, 12, 20, 30 meters) using ultrasonic 3-axis anemometers. The atmospheric seeing is monitored with a Differential Image Motion Monitor (DIMM). We have studied correlations in the wind speed and direction at the different elevations and with the atmospheric seeing. From the wind-elevation correlations, we find evidence for a surface turbulence layer up to a minimum of 12 meters above the local topography. Knowing where the boundary layer is will affect the overall height of telescope and the summit building. In examining the correlation of image quality from the DIMM with wind directions and speed, we found a surprising result: there appears to be a weak preference for better seeing when the wind is coming from the south, rather than from the northeast as expected. We also find that this correlation appears to be independent of wind speed below 30 meters. This information will be used in site design analysis along with performance modeling of the LSST.
This research was supported by the NOAO/KPNO Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program which is funded by the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program and the Department of Defense ASSURE program through Scientific Program Order No. 3 (AST-0243875) of the Cooperative Agreement No. AST-0132798 between the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) and the NSF.

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