Remote sensing of atmospheric water vapour above the Chilean Andes

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Date
2010
Authors
Querel, Richard Robert
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
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Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, 2010
Abstract
Water vapour is the principle source of opacity at infrared wavelengths in the Earth’s atmosphere. In support of site testing for the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), we have used La Silla and Paranal as calibration sites to verify satellite measurements of precipitable water vapour (PWV). We reconstructed the PWV history over both sites by analysing thousands of archived high-resolution echelle calibration spectra and compared that to satellite estimates for the same period. Three PWV measurement campaigns were conducted over both sites using several independent measurement techniques. Radiosondes were launched to coincide with satellite measurements and provide a PWV reference standard allowing intercomparison between the various instruments and methods. This multi-faceted approach has resulted in a unique data set. Integral to this analysis is the internal consistency provided by using a common atmospheric model.
Description
xvii, 206 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm
Keywords
Water vapor, Atmospheric -- Chile -- La Silla -- Observations , Water vapor, Atmospheric -- Chile -- Paranal -- Observations , Water vapor, Atmospheric -- Chile -- La Silla -- Remote sensing , Water vapor, Atmospheric -- Chile -- Paranal -- Remote sensing , Water vapor, Atmospheric -- Chile -- La Silla -- Measurement , Water vapor, Atmospheric -- Chile -- Paranal -- Measurement , Precipitable water -- Chile -- La Silla -- Observations , Precipitable water -- Chile -- Paranal -- Obervations , Precipitable water -- Chile -- La Silla -- Measurement , Precipitable water -- Chile -- Paranal -- Measurement , Radiometers , Radiosondes
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