An Investigation of Atmospheric Turbulence by Stellar Observations

An Investigation of Atmospheric Turbulence by Stellar Observations
Author: Jack Lytle Bufton
Publisher:
Total Pages: 188
Release: 1971
Genre: Astrophysics
ISBN:

This study of the optical effects of atmospheric turbulence concentrates on the stellar observation problem. When an infinite plane wave from an incoherent stellar source is sampled by an earth-based telescope, the resultant stellar image exhibits random fluctuations in intensity, position, and size due to turbulence-induced scattering in the intervening atmosphere. One familiar aspect of this problem is the scintillation of starlight apparent to the naked eye. The central aim is to express optical statistics in terms of refractive-index structure constant which pertains to strength of turbulence along the optical path. Data is presented on stellar and meteorological observations made between fall 1968 and spring 1969 with a 0.152-meter diameter refracting telescope. Data was recorded simultaneously on the three parameters of image intensity, motion, and size. The data is interpreted in terms of the theory and used to estimate strength of turbulence. The central result is a series of profiles for refractive-index structure constant along the vertical path. These are constructed using stellar data to calculate parameters of a model.

The Infrared Handbook

The Infrared Handbook
Author: Environmental Research Institute of Michigan. Infrared Information and Analysis Center
Publisher:
Total Pages: 1740
Release: 1978
Genre: Infrared radiation
ISBN:

Hearings

Hearings
Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Science and Astronautics
Publisher:
Total Pages: 1422
Release: 1970
Genre:
ISBN: