Site testing study based on weather balloons measurements

E. Aristidi*, A. Agabi, M. Azouit, E. Fossat, J. Vernin, T. Sadibekova, T. Travouillon, J. S. Lawrence, B. Halter, W. L. Roth, V. P. Walden

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We present wind and temperature profiles at Dome C measured during the polar summer by balloon born sonds. Data from 197 flights have been processed for 4 campaigns between 2000 and 2004. We show the exceptionnal wind conditions at Dome C: averaged ground wind speed is 3.6 m s-1. We noticed in mid-november the presence of high altitude strong winds (40 m s-1) probably due to the polar vortex which disappear in summer. These winds seem to have no effect on seeing measurements made with a DIMM at the same period. Temperature profiles exhibit a minimum at height 5500 m (over the snow surface) that defines the tropopause. Surface layer temperature profile has negative gradient in the first 50 m above ground in the afternoon and a strong inversion layer (5°C over 50 m) around midnight. Wind profiles are compared with other astronomical sites, and with a meteorological model from Meteo France.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings - CIS Workshops 2007, 2007 International Conference on Computational Intelligence and Security Workshops, CISW 2007
Place of PublicationLes Ulis, France
PublisherEAS Publications Series
Pages227-232
Number of pages6
Volume14
ISBN (Print)2868838359, 9782868838353
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005
Externally publishedYes
EventDome C Astronomy and Astrophysics Meeting - Toulouse, France
Duration: 28 Jun 200430 Jun 2004

Publication series

NameEAS Publications Series
Volume14
ISSN (Print)16334760
ISSN (Electronic)16381963

Other

OtherDome C Astronomy and Astrophysics Meeting
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityToulouse
Period28/06/0430/06/04

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