Optical turbulence forecast: toward a new era of ground-based astronomy

TL;DR

This paper discusses the development of optical turbulence forecasting using meso-scale atmospheric models to improve ground-based astronomy, especially for Extremely Large Telescopes, by predicting turbulence effects more accurately.

Contribution

It presents the goals and challenges of a European project aimed at validating and advancing optical turbulence forecasts for astronomical site assessment.

Findings

Feasibility of simulating realistic Cn2 profiles above astronomical sites.

Potential to discriminate between different astronomical sites based on turbulence forecasts.

Advancement in the integration of meteorology and astrophysics for telescope site management.

Abstract

The simulation of the optical turbulence (OT) for astronomical applications obtained with non-hydrostatic atmospherical models at meso-scale presents, with respect to measurements, some advantages. The future of the ground-based astronomy relies upon the potentialities and feasibility of the ELTs. Our ability in knowing, controlling and 'managing' the effects of the turbulence on such a new generation telescopes and facilities are determinant to assure their competitiveness with respect to the space astronomy. In the past several studies have been carried out proving the feasibility of the simulation of realistic Cn2 profiles above astronomical sites. The European Community (FP6 Program) decided recently to fund a Project aiming, from one side, to prove the feasibility of the OT forecasts and the ability of meso-scale models in discriminating astronomical sites from optical turbulence point of view and, from the other side, to boost the development of this discipline at the borderline between the astrophysics and the meteorology. In this contribution I will present the scientific and technological goals of this project, the challenges for the ground-based astronomy that are related to the success of such a project and the international synergies that have been joint to optimize the results.