Measurement techniques used to determine atmospheric structure parameter

Abstract

The objective of the proposed research is to compare and analyze the effectiveness of different atmospheric structure constant (Cn2) measurement techniques using data collected in a field test. Cn2 is a value used to convey the strength of optical turbulence in units of m^-2/3. Cn2 data was collected using the following equipment: Integrated Atmospheric Characterization System (IACS), Delayed Tilt Anisoplanatism Imaging Path Atmospheric Turbulence Monitor (DELTA), Path-Resolved Optical Profiler (PROPS), a Scintec BLS-900 Large Aperture Scintillometer (LAS) and a Kipp & Zonen (K&Z) LAS system. The testing facility at Kennedy Space Center was chosen for its controlled airspace and 5km precision-leveled runway.