Geographical-environmental factors extraction and analysis for optical astronomical site selection based on multi-source remote sensing in Lenghu, Qinghai Province

Abstract

At present, there are scarce sites that can require high-quality astronomical observations over the world, therefore, analysis of geographical-environmental factors and extraction of the potential places for astronomical observations is of significance. Remote sensing has the specific advantage for rapid and widespread monitoring and geo-spatial analysis. In this paper, Precipitable Water Vapor (PWV), clear nights, altitude and surface coverage, these four parameters associated with optical astronomical observation was selected, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) evaluating model was adopted to determine the weighting parameters and calculated geo-environmental suitability. The results show that: (1) The lenghu region is characterized by seasonal variation with high PWV in summer and low PWV in the winter, representing non-summer periods are the best observation time. (2) The Lenghu region has relatively high clear nights with more than half of times through one year is suitable for observation. (3) Based on Geoenvironmental suitability mapping,Saishiteng Mountain is selected as a priority site for optical astronomical sites.