Astroclimatic Characterization of Vallecitos: A candidate site for the Cherenkov Telescope Array at San Pedro Martir

TL;DR

This study evaluates the weather and sky conditions of Vallecitos over 18 months to assess its suitability as a site for the Cherenkov Telescope Array, comparing it with nearby observatory conditions.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed climatological characterization of Vallecitos using multi-sensor data, supporting its candidacy for CTA installation.

Findings

Vallecitos has favorable weather conditions for astronomical observations.

Microclimate effects at Vallecitos improve conditions at the nearby optical observatory.

Weather conditions at Vallecitos are suitable for Cherenkov Telescope Array requirements.

Abstract

We conducted an 18 month long study of the weather conditions of the Vallecitos, a proposed site in Mexico to harbor the northern array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). It is located in Sierra de San Pedro Martir (SPM) a few kilometers away from Observatorio Astron\'omico Nacional. The study is based on data collected by the ATMOSCOPE, a multi-sensor instrument measuring the weather and sky conditions, which was commissioned and built by the CTA Consortium. Additionally, we compare the weather conditions of the optical observatory at SPM to the Vallecitos regarding temperature, humidity, and wind distributions. It appears that the excellent conditions at the optical observatory benefit from the presence of microclimate established in the Vallecitos.