First Seasonal Study of Optical Turbulence with an Atmospheric Model

We present the first complete seasonal variation study extended over 1 year, of all the principal astroclimatic parameters above the San Pedro Martir Observatory, simulated with an atmospheric model, Meso- Nh. The model was run in an autonomous way to simulate and wind speed vertical profiles ( ∼20 km) related 2 CN to the 80 nights after it was calibrated with the aid of a set of measured profiles. All the integrated parameters 2 CN are calculated using two basic parameters: (h) and (h). Simulations match measurements within a dispersion 2 CV N of a few percent. Correlations between meteorological and astroclimatic parameters are discussed, and general seasonal trends are presented as evidence. The potential of numerical simulations as a new tool for the climatological analysis of optical turbulence above astronomical sites is discussed.

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