R. Giovanelli et al., The optical/infrared astronomical quality of high Atacama sites. I. Preliminary results of optical seeing, PUB AST S P, 113(785), 2001, pp. 789-802
Citations number
21
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Space Sciences
Journal title
PUBLICATIONS OF THE ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF THE PACIFIC
The region surrounding the Llano de Chajnantor, a high-altitude plateau in
the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, has caught the attention of the astro
nomical community for its potential as an observatory site. Combining high
elevation and extremely low atmospheric water content, the Llano has been c
hosen as the future site of the Atacama Large Millimeter Array. We have ini
tiated a campaign to investigate the astronomical potential of the region i
n the optical/infrared. Here we report on an aspect of our campaign aimed a
t establishing a seeing benchmark to be used as a reference for future acti
vities in the region. After a brief description of the region and its clima
te, we describe the results of an astronomical seeing campaign, carried out
with a Differential Image Motion Monitor that operates at 0.5 mum waveleng
th. The seeing at the Llano altitude of 5000 m, measured over 7 nights in 1
998 May, yielded a median FWHM of 1."1. However, the seeing decreased to 0.
"7 at a modest 100 m gain above the plateau (Cerro Chico), as measured over
38 nights spread between 1998 July and 2000 October. Neither of these repr
esents the best seeing expected in the region; the set of measurements prov
ides a reference base for simultaneous dual runs at Cerro Chico and at othe
r sites of interest in the region, currently underway. A comparison between
simultaneous measurements at Cerro Chico and Cerro Paranal indicates that
the seeing at Cerro Chico is about 12% better than that at Paranal. The per
centage of optically photometric nights in the Chajnantor region is about 6
0%, while that of nights useful for astronomical work is near 80%.