Giant Magellan Telescope site evaluation and characterization at Las Campanas Observatory

Joanna E. Thomas-Osip; Gabriel Prieto; Matt Johns; Mark M. Phillips

doi:10.1117/12.789863

10 July 2008 Giant Magellan Telescope site evaluation and characterization at Las Campanas Observatory

Joanna E. Thomas-Osip, Gabriel Prieto, Matt Johns, Mark M. Phillips

Proceedings Volume 7012, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes II; 70121U (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.789863
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2008, Marseille, France

Abstract

Las Campanas Observatory has been designated as the location for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). We report results obtained since the commencement, in 2005, of a systematic site testing campaign at LCO. Meteorological (cloud cover, temperature, pressure, wind, and humidity) and DIMM seeing data have been obtained at three potential sites, and are compared with identical data taken at the site of the twin Magellan 6.5m telescopes. In addition, measurements of the turbulence profile of the free-atmosphere above LCO have been collected with a MASS/DIMM. We examine the contribution to the seeing arising from turbulence in the ground layer (defined here as below an altitude of 500 m) through the difference between the turbulence integrals in the full atmosphere (as measured by DIMM) and in the free atmosphere (as measured by MASS). Additionally, we consider photometric quality, light pollution, and precipitable water vapor at LCO.

Citation Download Citation

Joanna E. Thomas-Osip, Gabriel Prieto, Matt Johns, and Mark M. Phillips "Giant Magellan Telescope site evaluation and characterization at Las Campanas Observatory", Proc. SPIE 7012, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes II, 70121U (10 July 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.789863

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