Global maps of atmospheric optical turbulence

James Osborn; Jean-Edouard Communal; Frédéric Jabet

doi:10.1117/12.2630736

29 August 2022 Global maps of atmospheric optical turbulence

James Osborn, Jean-Edouard Communal, Frédéric Jabet

Proceedings Volume 12185, Adaptive Optics Systems VIII; 121851R (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2630736
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2022, Montréal, Québec, Canada

Abstract

The optical turbulence in the Earth’s atmosphere is detrimental to ground-based optical astronomy. it is therefore critical that we are able to model and forecast realistic atmospheric optical turbulence conditions for observatory site selection, instrument development, instrument performance validation and queue scheduling, to maximise observatory scientific output. Here, we present global maps of optical turbulence strength and associated parameters (Fried parameter, isoplanatic angle, coherence time and Rytov variance / scintillation index), from a turbulence forecasting tool. These maps can be used by the community to understand the expected performance of optical systems anywhere in the world, day and night. These maps also demonstrate that optical turbulence can be modelled and visualised in the same manner as other aspects of the Earth’s weather system such as wind, rain or temperature, opening the door for more advanced turbulence forecasting functionality.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

James Osborn, Jean-Edouard Communal, and Frédéric Jabet "Global maps of atmospheric optical turbulence", Proc. SPIE 12185, Adaptive Optics Systems VIII, 121851R (29 August 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2630736

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