Abstract

Optical turbulence degrades large aperture, ground based telescope systems. In general, hundreds of individual layers contribute to this degradation; however, the spatial distribution of these layers is not random. Over the last decade, microthermal probe, acoustic sounder, and optical measurements reveal that frequently a few layers contribute most of the degradation. We find consistencies in the surface, boundary, and tropopause layers that assist in predicting their magnitudes and occurrences. Since the physical phenomena producing these layers are different, knowledge of the spatial and temporal distribution is beneficial in developing large aperture, ground based telescope systems.

© 1991 Optical Society of America