An analysis of the fragmentation of observing time at the Muztagh-ata site
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Published:2023-11-06
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ISSN:1674-4527
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Container-title:Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics
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language:
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Short-container-title:Res. Astron. Astrophys.
Author:
Gu Wenbo,Xu Jing,Feng Guojie,Zhang Xuan,Wang Letian,Wang Xinliang,Esamdin Ali,Shen Lixian
Abstract
Abstract
Cloud cover plays a pivotal role in assessing observational conditions for astronomical site-testing. Except for the fraction of observing time, its fragmentation also wields a significant influence on the quality of nighttime sky clarity. In this article, we introduce the function Γ ∈ [0, 1], designed to comprehensively capture both the fraction of available observing
time and its continuity. Leveraging in situ measurement data gathered at the Muztagh-ata site
between 2017 and 2021, we showcase the effectiveness of our approach. The statistical result
illustrates that the Muztagh-ata site affords approximately 122 nights of absolute clear and
205 very good nights annually, corresponding to Γ ≥ 0.9 and Γ ≥ 0.36 respectively.
Subject
Space and Planetary Science,Astronomy and Astrophysics