Atmospheric optical turbulence at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory: data base and recalibration of the generalized SCIDAR data

We present the largest data base so far of atmospheric optical turbulence profiles [197 035 individual C 2 N (h)] for an astronomical site, the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (La Palma, Spain). This C 2 N (h) data base was obtained through generalized SCIDAR observations at the 1-m Jacobus Kapte...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 2011-09, Vol.416 (3), p.2123-2129
Main Authors: García-Lorenzo, B., Fuensalida, J. J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astronomy
atmospheric effects
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
instrumentation: adaptive optics
Observatories
Optics
site testing
Turbulence
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Summary:We present the largest data base so far of atmospheric optical turbulence profiles [197 035 individual C 2 N (h)] for an astronomical site, the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (La Palma, Spain). This C 2 N (h) data base was obtained through generalized SCIDAR observations at the 1-m Jacobus Kapteyn Telescope from 2004 February to 2009 August, obtaining useful data for 211 nights. The overestimation of the turbulence strength induced during the generalized SCIDAR data processing has been analysed for the different observational configurations. All the individual C 2 N (h) have been recalibrated to compensate for the errors introduced during data treatment. Comparing the results from profiles before and after the recalibration, we analyse its impact on the calculation of relevant parameters for adaptive optics.
ISSN:0035-8711
1365-2966
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2011.19186.x