A new method of measuring optical turbulence of atmospheric surface layer at Antarctic Taishan Station with ultrasonic anemometer

To find the optimal location for large-aperture telescopes is a goal of astronomy. Chinese Antarctic astronomy has begun to flourish in recent years, and it is an urgent need in basic astronomical work to measure and analyze the optical turbulence spatiotemporal distribution in the Antarctic region. We analyzed turbulence data measured by a mobile atmospheric parameter measurement system from 30 December 2013 to 10 February 2014 at Antarctic Taishan Station. Because there is a discrepancy between the refractive index structure constant Cn2 measured by an ultrasonic anemometer with a single-point temperature structure function method and by micro-thermometer, a new method to measure C,2 with a temperature spectrum method is proposed herein. Through comparing long-term continuous Cn2 data derived from ultrasonic anemometer with those via the new method and micro-thermometer, trend, magnitude and measured weak turbulence of-2× 10-16m-2/3 are generally satisfactory. The reason for the discrepancy in Cn2 measurement between the ultrasonic anemometer with the old method and micro-thermometer is investigated.

Measurement errors and correction of the UAT-2 ultrasonic anemometer

Two kinds of measurement errors have been observed in the recently developed UAT-2 ultrasonic anemometer.One is the flow distortion produced by a"blocking effect",and the other is the angle of attack caused by the vertical misalignment of the instrument.Here,we study these errors and discuss the possible correction methods.Via a wind tunnel experiment and numerical simulation,a 3D calibration matrix was developed to correct the"blocking effect".In the field test,the angle of attack was detected by an inclinometer settled on the reference plane of the anemometer,and the instrumental misalignment or tilt was corrected by a coordinate transformation.The combined use of an inclinometer and the proposed correction method may help find a new approach for vertical velocity correction.

Analysis of atmospheric turbulence in the upper layers of sea fog

Atmospheric turbulence plays a vital role in the formation and dissipation of fog. However,studies of such turbulence are typically limited to observations with ultrasonic anemometers less than 100 m above ground. Thus,the turbulence characteristics of upper fog layers are poorly known. In this paper,we present 4-layers of data,measured by ultrasonic anemometers on a wind tower about 400 m above the sea surface; we use these data to characterize atmospheric turbulence atop a heavy sea fog. Large differences in turbulence during the sea fog episode were recorded. Results showed that the kinetic energy,momentum flux,and sensible heat flux of turbulence increased rapidly during the onset of fog. After onset,high turbulence was observed within the uppermost fog layer. As long as this turbulence did not exceed a critical threshold,it was crucial to enhancing the cooling rate,and maintaining the fog. Vertical momentum flux and sensible heat flux generated by this turbulence weakened wind speed and decreased air temperature during the fog. Towards the end of the fog episode,the vertical distribution of sensible heat flux reversed,contributing to a downward momentum flux in all upper layers. Spatial and temporal scales of the turbulence eddy were greater before and after the fog,than during the fog episode. Turbulence energy was greatest in upper levels,around 430 m and 450 m above mean sea level(AMSL),than in lower levels of the fog(390 m and 410 m AMSL); turbulence energy peaked along the mean wind direction. Our results show that the status of turbulence was complicated within the fog; turbulence caused fluxes of momentum and sensible heat atop the fog layer,affecting the underlying fog by decreasing or increasing average wind speed,as well as promoting or demoting air temperature stratification.

Airflow patterns upwind of obstacles and their significance for echo dune formation:A field measurement of the effects of the windward slope angle

The velocities in front of five topographic obstacles with windward slope angles between 45~ and 80~ were measured using ul- trasonic anemometers in the field at the southeastern margin of the Tengger Desert. The characteristics of the horizontal and vertical velocities indicated that the airflow pattern was significantly influenced by the ohstacle＇s windward slope angle. The horizontal flow decelerated but the vertical flow accelerated upwind of the obstacles when the windward slope was less than 60~, but a reversed flow formed in front of steeper obstacles. The size of the area occupied by the reversed horizontal compo- nent increased with increasing windward slope, but the region of reversed vertical velocity became narrower and taller. Air- flow turbulence was strengthened as the wind approached the obstacle, and low-frequency high-energy velocity fluctuations were observed upwind of the obstacle, and could affect the entrainment and saltation processes of sand particles. Turbulence intensities for both the horizontal and vertical components of the airflow increased with increasing windward slope and with decreasing distance from the obstacle. The deceleration and downward movement of airflow upwind of the obstacle would re- sult in supersaturation of the air-sand flow, leading to deposition of moving sand, and these deposited grains would become the material basis for the formation of echo dunes. The reversed airflow would both determine the initial position of the echo dune and provide the necessary motive power to subsequently shape the echo dune.