Turbulence and Seeing measurements at Dome C
A collaboration UNSW, CTIO and the University of Nice
What did we learn at the South Pole?
South Pole 2001… …and Dome C 2003
The cycle in the Dome C Summer
00:00 06:00 12:00 00:0018:00 06:00 12:00 00:0018:00
1.00.8
0.0
0.4
1.2
1.6
Best seeing when: 1) Minimum radiation from the Sun 2) Minimum Thermal gradient
The cycle in the Dome C Summer
Free atmosphere turbulence
Effect of the high altitude wind:
Paranal
Conclusion
• Already spectacular Seeing values, expected to improve in winter
• Very advantageous ground level turbulence profile
• Need more data to conclude on the isoplanatic angle and coherence time