Non-Kolmogorov features of differential image motion restored from the Multichannel Astrometric Photometer data

Main Astronomical Observatory, National Academy of Sciencies of Ukraine, Zabolotnogo 27, 03680 Kyiv-127, Ukraine

Corresponding author: laz@mao.kiev.ua

Received: 14 March 2002
Accepted: 10 September 2002

Abstract

In this paper we present a new restoration of atmospheric turbulent parameters using published data on image motion observations with the Multichannel Astrometric Photometer. These data have been previously analyzed by Han (1989) whose estimate of the power of the phase structure function was close to the 5/3 value expected for the Kolmogorov atmospheric turbulence. Investigating the temporal image motion spectrum, we show, however, that the experimental data do not follow predictions of the Kolmogorov model. The best fitting of the observed spectrum is achieved with , which is typical of non-classic phase distortions. The outer scale of turbulence was found to be 1800 m or longer. Expressions for the non-Kolmogorov temporal spectrum of differential image motion allowing for a finite outer scale length are given.