Accession Number:

AD0813560

Title:

OPTICAL EFFECTS OF NEAR-GROUND TURBULENCE AT THE VAN NORMAN LAKE SOLAR OBSERVATORY SITE.

Descriptive Note:

Rept. for Dec 65-Jan 67,

Corporate Author:

AEROSPACE CORP EL SEGUNDO CA LABS DIV

Personal Author(s):

• Berry, G. V.
• Ward, R. C.

Report Date:

1967-02-01

Pagination or Media Count:

37.0

Abstract:

The distortion of light wavefronts by atmospheric turbulence in the first 15 m above ground was measured at a solar observatory site near Sylmar, California. It is inferred from these data that seldom if ever should near-ground turbulence significantly degrade the resolution of a solar telescope to be installed at this site. Comparison of the measured values of near-ground turbulence with simultaneous estimates of solar seeing quality showed essentially no correlation between the two variables. The instrument used to measure wavefront distortion, a differential-interferometer seeing meter being developed in these laboratories, is described.

Descriptors:

• (*LIGHT TRANSMISSION
• TURBULENCE)
• (*ATMOSPHERIC MOTION
• OPTICAL PROPERTIES)
• ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORIES
• CALIFORNIA
• MEASUREMENT
• RESOLUTION
• PROPAGATION
• ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
• TELESCOPES
• DISTORTION
• WAVE PROPAGATION
• VISIBILITY
• DIURNAL VARIATIONS
• INTERFEROMETERS
• LOW ALTITUDE

Subject Categories:

• Astronomy
• Atmospheric Physics
• Optics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE