Chinese Journal of Polar Research

Chinese Journal of Polar Research ›› 2020, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (3): 343-351.DOI: 10.13679/j.jdyj.20190065

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Estimating near-surface atmospheric refractive index structure constants at Antarctic Taishan Station using simulated parameters from Polar WRF

Yang Qike1,2, Wu Xiaoqing1, Han Yajuan1,2, Qing Chun1   

  1. 1.Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Optics, Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China;
    2.Science Island Branch of Graduate School, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230031, China
  • Received:2019-11-01 Revised:2019-12-17 Online:2020-09-30 Published:2020-09-30

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Abstract:

Optical turbulence intensity in the near-surface layer is closely related to the quality of potential astronomical observatory sites. Compared with the middle and low latitudes, Antarctica has very low background radiation, aerosol concentration and light pollution, and is an attractive location for the establishment of astronomical observatories. Conventional meteorological parameters at Antarctic Taishan Station were simulated using the Polar Weather Research and Forecasting model (Polar WRF), which has been developed specifically for polar research. Correlation coefficient between simulated and measured temperature was up to 0.95 and that between simulated and measured wind speed was up to 0.89. Refractive index structure constant () was estimated from the simulated meteorological parameters using the Monin–Obukhov similarity theory, and compared with values derived from measurements from the mobile polar atmospheric parameter measurement system at Taishan Station. There is high consistency between simulated and measured values. Correlation coefficient between simulated and measured values is 0.67.

Key words: astronomical site testing, Polar Weather Research and Forecasting model, Antarctic Taishan Station, refractive index structure constant