| DOI | Resolve DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/597766 |
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| Author | Search for: Steinbring, Eric1; Search for: Cuillandre, Jean-Charles; Search for: Magnier, Eugene |
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| Affiliation | - National Research Council of Canada. NRC Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics
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| Format | Text, Article |
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| Abstract | Nighttime sky-transparency statistics on Mauna Kea are reported based on data from the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope SkyProbe monitor. We focus on the period beginning with the start of MegaCam wide-field optical imager operations in 2003 and continuing for almost three years. Skies were clear enough to observe on 76% of those nights; attenuations were less than 0.2 mag up to 60% of the time. An empirical model of cloud attenuation and duration is presented allowing us to further characterize the photometric conditions. This is a good fit to the SkyProbe data and indicates that Mauna Kea skies are truly photometric (without clouds) an average of 56% of the time, with moderate seasonal variation. Continuous monitoring of transparency during the night is necessary to overcome fluctuations in attenuation due to thin clouds. |
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| Publication date | 2009-03-04 |
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| Publisher | IOP |
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| In | |
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| Language | English |
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| Peer reviewed | Yes |
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| NPARC number | 23005077 |
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| Export citation | Export as RIS |
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| Report a correction | Report a correction (opens in a new tab) |
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| Record identifier | d28e6f56-653e-4fa2-ab12-68dd71d01f10 |
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| Record created | 2019-02-21 |
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| Record modified | 2020-04-16 |
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