Site-testing at Muztagh-ata site I: ground meteorology and sky brightness

Abstract

Site-testing is crucial for achieving the goal of scientific research and analysis of meteorological and optical observing conditions, one of the associated basic tasks. As one of three potential sites to host the 12-meter Large Optical/infrared Telescope (LOT), the Muztagh-ata site, which is located on the Pamir Plateau in Xinjiang, in west China, began its site-testing task in the spring of 2017. In this paper, we firstly start with an introduction to the site and then present a statistical analysis of the ground-level meteorological properties such as air temperature, barometric pressure, relative humidity, and wind speed and direction, recorded by an automatic weather station with standard meteorological sensors for a two-year duration. We also show the monitoring results of sky brightness during this period.

Report on seeing, sky brightness, and meteorological properties measurements at Timau National Observatory site

“…These measurements were conducted on 10-31 August 2021. The data acquisition of the night sky brightness using SQM and the meteorological properties using AWS are also used to measure those parameters in site testing activities for selecting the site to host 12-meter Large Optical/infrared Telescope (LOT) [13] and Iranian National Observatory (INO) [12].…”

Site-testing at the Muztagh-ata Site V. Nighttime Cloud Amount during the Last Five Years

“…This article is the fifth of a series of papers reporting on the results of site-testing at Muztagh-ata site (Xu et al 2020a). The geographical coordinates of this site are 38°19′47″N, 74°53′48″ E, with an altitude of 4526 m above sea level, and it is named for its proximity to the famous Muztagh-ata.…”

Measurement and study of daytime optical turbulence and precipitable water vapor in the northwestern area of China

“…Therefore, long-term observation for a candidate site is critical before the telescopes receive the first light. 2,[6][7][8] Areas with a quiet atmosphere, for example, the summits of high mountains, having relatively few influences by the energetic turbulent atmosphere from the planet's boundary layer, have been proven to be the ideal places for observatories. In addition, the Antarctic, with a relatively thin boundary layer and dry air, also becomes a paradise for astronomers.…”