Turbulence observations over a desert basin using a kite/tethered-blimp platform

Frank D. Eaton; Ben B. Balsley; Rod G. Frehlich; Ronald J. Hugo; Michael L. Jensen; Kimberley A. McCrae

doi:10.1117/1.1288182

1 September 2000 Turbulence observations over a desert basin using a kite/tethered-blimp platform

Frank D. Eaton, Ben B. Balsley, Rod G. Frehlich, Ronald J. Hugo, Michael L. Jensen, Kimberley A. McCrae

Optical Engineering, Vol. 39, Issue 9, (September 2000). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.1288182

Results of the (temperature) refractive index structure parameter (C2T), C2n, and the eddy dissipation rate e derived from the velocity structure parameter C2v are presented from fast response sensor observations using a kite/tethered-blimp platform in the Tularosa Basin at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, during the spring of 1998. Comparisons of different sensors (fine-wire probes and pitot tubes) measuring the same parameter are displayed and discussed while salient features of all sensors (standard and fast response) and the kite and tethered-blimp platforms are outlined. The nature and statistics of turbulence, including intermittency, under different stability conditions is discussed, including those found in the residual layer above the nocturnal boundary layer and the entrainment zone at the top of the daytime planetary boundary layer. In addition to displaying time series of temperature C2n and ? results obtained at specific altitudes and times, histograms of all daytime and nighttime C2n and ? values are compared to log-normal distributions. Examples of profiles of Cn2 and ? for daytime, near sunset, and nighttime conditions are shown and discussed. The relationship of Cn2 with ? is displayed for all data as well as sorted by daytime and nighttime. These results are explained in terms of potential and kinetic energy considerations under different atmospheric stability conditions.

Citation Download Citation

Frank D. Eaton, Ben B. Balsley, Rod G. Frehlich, Ronald J. Hugo, Michael L. Jensen, and Kimberley A. McCrae "Turbulence observations over a desert basin using a kite/tethered-blimp platform," Optical Engineering 39(9), (1 September 2000). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.1288182

Published: 1 September 2000

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available