Predicting Astronomical Seeing

[anthony2302749]

Hi All

Just finished reading a fine artical about predicting astronomical seeing by Damian Peach. Follow the link for your copy http://www.damianpeach.com/images/articles/predictseeing/JBAA%20116-1%20Peach.pdf

It is well worth the look and it may help with predicting the weather in Australia.

Anthony

[anthony2302749]

Hi

I see that quiet a few have looked at the article. I decide to use what I have learn and apply it to Australia. Using the weather site, Wunderground (see link) I found to very useful charts (you will need to play around with the drop down menu to bring up the 300mb chart.

Using the Surface press charts for the 12th of August 2006 you will see most of Australia is in a high pressure system (1016 to about 1024) meaning low surface wind, which fullfill the first requirement. Now looking at the 300mb chart (eg Jet stream) you will see that most of Australia is covered by high 300mb wind speeds ranging from 30 to 150 knot (55km/h to 277km/h). The only parts of Australia that meets the second requirement is Tasmania and Darwin with wind speeds of 10knot or 18km/h. So what does this mean, it mean that you need to pack your bags and head north for good seeing. For us in the south of the country we will just have to wait until we get favourable weather conditions.

Anthony


http://www.wunderground.com/modelmaps/maps.asp?model=GFS&domain=AU

[[1ponders]]

Darwin is supposed to be nice this time of year. Maybe we should exstablish an IIS office there. ;)

Thanks for digging out that surface chart link Anthony. :thumbsup: