Optical turbulence modeling in the boundary layer and free atmosphere using instrumented meteorological balloons

Abstract

In this paper, we study the behavior of atmospheric turbulence in the boundary layer and free atmosphere using balloon-born radiosondes. The data measurements were carried out with 168 balloons launched from 9 sites. Profiles of various parameters (CN2, M2 and L o) characterizing atmospheric turbulence are established. We work out statistical models of atmospheric turbulence in the boundary layer, and we checked their coherence by comparing them with other models. In the free atmosphere, the CN2, profile is coherent with those of the models of Hufnagel and of Brown-Beland. A complete behavior of the outer scale Lo is given from the ground up to 30 km which fits with partial models of Coulman-Vernin and Beland-Brown.