W-DIMM: Test Measurements of Optical Turbulence Parameters at the Crimean Station of Sternberg Astronomical Institute

Abstract

A mobile W-DIMM device was used to measure seeing at the Crimean station of Sternberg Astronomical Institute of Moscow State University over seven nights, from June 23 to 30, 2024. Seeing estimates for altitudes greater than 500 m were inferred from scintillations in the sensor apertures separate from the total optical turbulence power. The zenith-adjusted seeing values were \(\beta_{\textrm{med}}\approx 1\overset{\prime\prime}{.}15\), the corresponding seeing for the upper atmosphere was found to be of about \(0\overset{\prime\prime}{.}28\). A comparison of the seeing estimates obtained on these nights at telescopes with long exposures agrees well with the readings of the mobile differential image motion monitor. Some climatic parameters were also obtained both from a stationary weather station near the observation point and from satellite data.