HR: 1340h
AN: A13A-0906    [Abstracts]
TI: The Inertial Range "Outer Scale" and Optical Turbulence
AU: * Dewan, E M
EM: edmond.dewam@hanscom.af.mil
AF: Air Force Research Laboratory, AFRL/VSBYB, 29 Randolph Rd., Hanscom AFB, Bedford, MA 01731-3010 United States
AU: Grossbard, N
A13A-0906 AF: Institute for Scientific Research, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3862 United States
AB: The crucial parameter used to calculate turbulence effects upon light waves propagating through the atmosphere is known as the structure constant,Cn*2 . As Tatarski has shown, this parameter depends upon the "outer scale" of the inertial sub-range of the turbulence. Recently there have been successful predictions of astronomical "seeing" conditions at Mauna Kea Astronomical Observatory which have increased interest in this subject and in the use of the so-called "Dewan Optical Turbulence Model". In the case of the Air Force, there has been a longstanding need for such optical turbulence prediction. In the past researchers have used a relation due to Tatarski, (which plays a prominent role in this model) in order to deduce values of the "outer scale" from measurements. When doing this, they have been surprised to find values very much smaller than expected. The goal of the paper is to explain this unexpected result. Other issues involving resolution effects may also be discussed if time permits.
DE: 3360 Remote sensing
DE: 3379 Turbulence (4490)
SC: Atmospheric Sciences [A]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005