Open AccessA laser beacon for monitoring the mesospheric sodium layer at La Palma
Author(s) -
Michaille L.,
Cañas A. D.,
Dainty J. C.,
Maxwell J.,
Gregory T.,
Quartel J. C.,
Reavell F. C.,
Wilson R. W.,
Wooder N. J.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.2000.03699.x
Subject(s) - physics , laser , layer (electronics) , sodium , lidar , astronomy , remote sensing , atmospheric sciences , astrophysics , atomic physics , optics , nanotechnology , materials science , chemistry , organic chemistry , geology
We report the results of the first laser beacon experiment at the astronomical site of La Palma (Canary Islands). A continuous wave low‐power laser (a few hundred mW) system has been set up. The laser, tuned on the sodium D 2 line at 589 nm, is launched close to the zenith angle. The emission of the mesospheric sodium layer is observed from a telescope located 160 m away from the laser. The layer is therefore resolved in altitude and the different features of its dynamics are investigated.