A new astronomical parameter from remote sensing data: Astronomical clearness index (ACI)

Authors : Kazım KABA, Cahit YEŞİLYAPRAK, Onur ŞATIR

Pages : 58-79

Doi:10.33769/aupse.851493

View : 21 | Download : 7

Publication Date : 2021-06-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Eastern Anatolia Observatory insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(DAG); project was initiated in Erzurum/Turkey in 2011. DAG will have Turkey’s largest insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(4 m); and first infrared telescope. The installation process is planned to be by taking its first light in the end of 2021. This study was focused on a new analysis method about the atmospheric properties of DAG site in terms of the cloudiness as known the most vital atmospheric parameter for ground-based astronomical observatories. In this regard, the cloudiness for DAG site is comprehensively examined using the “Cloud Mask” insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CMa); and “Cloud Type” insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CT); products from Satellite Application Facility on Support to Nowcasting and Very Short-Range Forecasting insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(NWC SAF);. Firstly, the cloudiness and the cloud types over DAG site were determined. Secondly, NWC SAF CMa and CT data have been redefined for astronomical purposes, and the pixel values/meanings in CMa and CT images have been reduced from 6 to 4 and from 21 to 4 pixels, respectively. Thirdly, these new data were used to define a new index named as “Astronomical Clearness Index” insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ACI);, and finally, the observable days for DAG site were determined using this newly defined index.
Keywords : Astronomical clearness index, astronomy, cloud mask and types, Eastern Anatolia Observatory, remote sensing