Abstract

The concept of the quantity r_o as a length that measures the effect of atmospheric turbulence on optical systems that are wavefront distortion sensitive is briefly reviewed. It is pointed out that no precise set of data on r_o for propagation down through the atmosphere has been published. Using astronomical seeing data obtained by Hoag and by Meinel it is shown how statistics for r_o can be derived, at least for observatory quality sites. We find that the two sets of data are in very good agreement and conclude that r_o is variable from night to night and distributed according to a log-normal distribution. For 0.55-μm light and zenith propagation, the median value of r_o is 0.114 m and changes by a factor of 1.36 for occurrences one standard deviation from the median.

© 1974 Optical Society of America

Evaluation of ro for propagation down through the atmosphere: correction 2

David L. Fried
Appl. Opt. 16(3) 549-549 (1977)

Evaluation of ro for propagation down through the atmosphere: correction

D. L. Fried
Appl. Opt. 14(11) 2567-2567 (1975)

Imaging of Extended Objects Through a Turbulent Atmosphere

R. F. Lutomirski and H. T. Yura
Appl. Opt. 13(2) 431-437 (1974)

Normal-Mode Approach to Wave Propagation in the Turbulent Atmosphere

Jeffrey H. Shapiro
Appl. Opt. 13(11) 2614-2619 (1974)

Optimum Adaptive Imaging Through Atmospheric Turbulence

Jeffrey H. Shapiro
Appl. Opt. 13(11) 2609-2613 (1974)