Numerical Simulation of Airflow over Potential Telescope Sites

Numerical simulation can provide a valuable tool in evaluating the characteristics of possible sites for new telescopes. This technique can provide accurate information about topographically induced atmospheric disturbances and turbulent boundary layers occurring in the high Reynolds number airflows over such sites. Results are given here for simulations of airflow at the two Gemini 8-m telescope sites on Mauna Kea and Cerro Pachon. These calculations permitted an informed choice to be made between two sites on Cerro Pachon; determined that upwind topographic features did not have a significant influence at the Mauna Kea site; and confirmed that the proposed height of the telescope pier would place the primary mirror above the turbulent boundary layer under the majority of wind directions and speeds. @ 1995 American Astronomical Societv.