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A preliminary comparison of daylit and night C n 2 profiles measured by thermosonde
Author(s) -
Roadcap John R.,
Tracy Paul
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1029/2008rs003921
Subject(s) - convective boundary layer , scintillation , wavelength , refractive index , atmosphere (unit) , planetary boundary layer , convection , scattering , boundary layer , surface layer , atmospheric sciences , air mass (solar energy) , physics , turbulence , optics , meteorology , materials science , layer (electronics) , thermodynamics , detector , composite material
The refractive index structure constant C n 2 is needed to characterize optical wave propagation in a refractive turbulent scattering medium. A limited number of in situ measurements of C n 2 made during day and night conditions from the surface to 10 km above sea level are compared in three different atmospheric boundary layer environments: dry convective, moist convective, and marine inversion. C n 2 on average appears to be higher through the convective boundary layer depth during the day compared to night for the same air mass type and location but is generally lower than night values within the stable marine inversion layer. Calculations of path scintillation effects for slant paths in the lower atmosphere at near‐infrared wavelengths are also compared for day and night conditions associated with the different air mass types.