Characteristics of upper atmospheric optical turbulence over China

• Main Authors: Qian, Xuan, Yao, YongQiang, Wang, HongShuai, Qiang, XiWen, Jiang, ZhongBao, Feng, KeTao, Li, YaLin
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: SPIE 30.04.2024
• ISBN: 151067974X; 9781510679740
• ISSN: 0277-786X
• DOI: 10.1117/12.3016219

Using the monthly data sets during 1951-2008 from standard upper-air stations, the spatial and seasonal distributions of upper turbulence over China are studied, and the atmospheric turbulence intensity at the pressure levels of 200hPa, 100hPa and 50hPa are given in this paper, providing scientific reference for relevant experiments. The intensity of atmospheric turbulence is closely related to height; at 200hPa pressure level, a downward trend of turbulence intensity from north to south is shown over China; at 100hPa, the turbulence is decreasing from south to north, weak turbulence occurs in the area north to 40°N; at 50hPa in near space, the turbulence in the west is slightly weaker than that in middle and east of the country. Influenced by seasonal variations of the mean circulations at each altitude, strong turbulence always occurs in winter while weak one in summer; but at 100hPa, the distribution of turbulence is evenly all over the country in summer, while weak turbulence occurs above the Tibetan Plateau and north of 40°N in winter; at 50hPa, the turbulence is weak in autumn, and a bit strong in summer. On the whole, the results could reflect the characteristic distributions of atmospheric optical turbulence in most general circumstances, and the most important value is to give the relative regional distributions of turbulence, to evaluate regional optical conditions on a macro scale.