First single-star scidar measurements at Oukaimeden Observatory, Morocco

IF 2.6 4区物理与天体物理 Q2 ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS

Astronomy and Computing Pub Date : 2026-01-01 Epub Date: 2025-10-17 DOI:10.1016/j.ascom.2025.101015

Y. Errazzouki , A. Habib , A. Jabiri , M. Sabil , Z. Benkhaldoun , J. Chafi , M. El bahraoui , Y. El jariri

{"title":"First single-star scidar measurements at Oukaimeden Observatory, Morocco","authors":"Y. Errazzouki , A. Habib , A. Jabiri , M. Sabil , Z. Benkhaldoun , J. Chafi , M. El bahraoui , Y. El jariri","doi":"10.1016/j.ascom.2025.101015","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aims to validate the initial performance of the Single Star SCIDAR (SSS) instrument recently deployed at the Oukaimeden Observatory in Morocco. The primary objectives are twofold: (i) to assess its capability to retrieve real-time vertical profiles of the refractive index structure constant, <span><math><mrow><msubsup><mrow><mi>C</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>n</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msubsup><mrow><mo>(</mo><mi>h</mi><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></math></span>, up to an altitude of 22 km, and (ii) to establish the reliability of the SSS system for real-time turbulence profiling, thereby confirming its suitability for prospective applications in adaptive optics. The (SSS) retrieves these profiles by analyzing single-star scintillation through a modified power spectrum of atmospheric speckles. An objective function is derived and minimized using the Active-Set optimization algorithm, enabling accurate and real-time reconstruction of <span><math><mrow><msubsup><mrow><mi>C</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>n</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msubsup><mrow><mo>(</mo><mi>h</mi><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></math></span> profiles.</div><div>A total of 34 h of data were collected from August 25 to 29, 2024. The reconstructed profiles and integrated seeing values are in good agreement with independent measurements from the Cyclope seeing monitor, confirming the reliability of the (SSS) system. Beyond site characterization, these results highlight the practical significance of real-time turbulence profile extraction, which allows adaptive-optics systems of next-generation 4 m-class telescopes to be adjusted more effectively to the prevailing atmospheric conditions. In addition, the compact and autonomous design of the (SSS) makes it particularly suitable for deployment at remote observatories with limited infrastructure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48757,"journal":{"name":"Astronomy and Computing","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101015"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6000,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Astronomy and Computing","FirstCategoryId":"101","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213133725000885","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/10/17 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

This study aims to validate the initial performance of the Single Star SCIDAR (SSS) instrument recently deployed at the Oukaimeden Observatory in Morocco. The primary objectives are twofold: (i) to assess its capability to retrieve real-time vertical profiles of the refractive index structure constant,

C_{n}^{2} (h)

, up to an altitude of 22 km, and (ii) to establish the reliability of the SSS system for real-time turbulence profiling, thereby confirming its suitability for prospective applications in adaptive optics. The (SSS) retrieves these profiles by analyzing single-star scintillation through a modified power spectrum of atmospheric speckles. An objective function is derived and minimized using the Active-Set optimization algorithm, enabling accurate and real-time reconstruction of

C_{n}^{2} (h)

profiles.

A total of 34 h of data were collected from August 25 to 29, 2024. The reconstructed profiles and integrated seeing values are in good agreement with independent measurements from the Cyclope seeing monitor, confirming the reliability of the (SSS) system. Beyond site characterization, these results highlight the practical significance of real-time turbulence profile extraction, which allows adaptive-optics systems of next-generation 4 m-class telescopes to be adjusted more effectively to the prevailing atmospheric conditions. In addition, the compact and autonomous design of the (SSS) makes it particularly suitable for deployment at remote observatories with limited infrastructure.

查看原文本刊更多论文

摩洛哥Oukaimeden天文台首次测量单星sidar

本研究旨在验证最近部署在摩洛哥Oukaimeden天文台的单星SCIDAR （SSS）仪器的初始性能。主要目标有两个：(1)评估其获取折射率结构常数Cn2(h)的实时垂直剖面的能力，最高可达22公里高度；(2)建立实时湍流剖面的SSS系统的可靠性，从而确认其在自适应光学领域的应用前景。（SSS）通过对大气斑的修正功率谱分析单星闪烁来获取这些剖面。利用Active-Set优化算法推导并最小化目标函数，实现Cn2(h)剖面的精确实时重建。2024年8月25日至29日共采集数据34 h。重建剖面和综合观测值与Cyclope观测仪的独立测量值吻合较好，证实了SSS系统的可靠性。除了现场表征，这些结果突出了实时湍流剖面提取的实际意义，这使得下一代4m级望远镜的自适应光学系统能够更有效地调整以适应当前的大气条件。此外，SSS的紧凑和自主设计使其特别适合部署在基础设施有限的远程天文台。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

Astronomy and Computing ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICSCOMPUTER SCIENCE,-COMPUTER SCIENCE, INTERDISCIPLINARY APPLICATIONS

CiteScore

4.10

自引率

8.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Astronomy and Computing is a peer-reviewed journal that focuses on the broad area between astronomy, computer science and information technology. The journal aims to publish the work of scientists and (software) engineers in all aspects of astronomical computing, including the collection, analysis, reduction, visualisation, preservation and dissemination of data, and the development of astronomical software and simulations. The journal covers applications for academic computer science techniques to astronomy, as well as novel applications of information technologies within astronomy.