Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dk4vv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T10:39:23.382Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Site testing study based on weather balloons measurements

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 January 2006

E. Aristidi*
Affiliation:
LUAN, Université de Nice, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
A. Agabi
Affiliation:
LUAN, Université de Nice, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
M. Azouit
Affiliation:
LUAN, Université de Nice, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
E. Fossat
Affiliation:
LUAN, Université de Nice, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
J. Vernin
Affiliation:
LUAN, Université de Nice, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
T. Sadibekova
Affiliation:
LUAN, Université de Nice, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
T. Travouillon
Affiliation:
School of Physics,University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
J. S. Lawrence
Affiliation:
School of Physics,University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
B. Halter
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
W. L. Roth
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
V. P. Walden
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA
Get access

Abstract

We present wind and temperature profiles at Dome C measured during thepolar summer by balloon born sonds. Data from 197 flights have beenprocessed for 4 campaigns between 2000 and 2004. We show theexceptionnal 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.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© EAS, EDP Sciences, 2005

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)