Abstract

Measurements of the atmospheric modulation transfer function (MTF) have been made at three sites simultaneously along a vertical path using stars as point light sources. A relatively simple photographic technique was employed to compile “climatological” summaries of the atmospheric MTF characterized by the transverse coherence length r₀ over a seven-month period during the day and night. The results show a factor of 2 diurnal change in r₀ with relative peaks during the morning and evening neutral zones. The average r₀ was found to be 90 ± 40 mm at night and 45 ± 18 mm during the day with a relatively constant standard deviation of 43%. The night-time averages appear to be among the highest recorded to date. The measurement technique is presented along with the average data trends. The differences among site locations are investigated.

© 1979 Optical Society of America

Atmospheric modulation transfer function for desert and mountain locations: r₀ measurements

D. L. Walters
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 71(4) 406-409 (1981)

Atmospheric modulation transfer function for desert and mountain locations: the atmospheric effects on r₀

D. L. Walters and K. E. Kunkel
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 71(4) 397-405 (1981)

Speckle interferometry lens-atmosphere MTF measurements*

Douglas P. Karo and Arthur M. Schneiderman
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 66(11) 1252-1256 (1976)

Measurement of the size of the isoplanatic patch using a phase-correcting telescope

S. Pollaine, A. Buffington, and F. S. Crawford
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 69(1) 84-89 (1979)

Optical remote sensing of atmospheric turbulence: a comparison with simultaneous thermal measurements

J. Vernin, R. Barletti, G. Ceppatelli, L. Paternò, A. Righini, and N. Speroni
Appl. Opt. 18(2) 243-247 (1979)