Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2004-10-25
Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc. 356 (2005) 849-858
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
18 pages, 5 figures. Accepted in MNRAS
Scientific paper
10.1111/j.1365-2966.2004.08542.x
We present comprehensive and reliable statistics of high altitude wind speeds and the tropospheric flows at the location of five important astronomical observatories. Statistical analysis exclusively of high altitude winds point to La Palma as the most suitable site for adaptive optics, with a mean value of 22.13 m/s at the 200 mbar pressure level. La Silla is at the bottom of the ranking, with the largest average value 200 mbar wind speed(33.35 m/s). We have found a clear annual periodicity of high altitude winds for the five sites in study. We have also explored the connection of high to low altitude atmospheric winds as a first approach of the linear relationship between the average velocity of the turbulence and high altitude winds (Sarazin & Tokovinin 2001). We may conclude that high and low altitude winds show good linear relationships at the five selected sites. The highest correlation coefficients correspond to Paranal and San Pedro Martir, while La Palma and La Silla show similar high to low altitude wind connection. Mauna Kea shows the smallest degree of correlation, which suggests a weaker linear relationship. Our results support the idea of high altitude winds as a parameter for rank astronomical sites in terms of their suitability for adaptive optics, although we have no evidence for adopting the same linear coefficient at different sites. The final value of this linear coefficient at a particular site could drastically change the interpretation of high altitude wind speeds as a direct parameter for site characterization.
Fuensalida Jesus J.
Garcia-Lorenzo Begona
Mendizabal E.
Munoz-Tunon Casiana
No associations
LandOfFree
Astronomical Site Ranking Based on Tropospheric Wind Statistics does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Astronomical Site Ranking Based on Tropospheric Wind Statistics, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Astronomical Site Ranking Based on Tropospheric Wind Statistics will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-477047