On the saturation of the refractive index structure function. II - Influence of the correlation length on astronomical 'seeing'

Abstract

A physical length scale in the wavefront corresponding to the parameter (r/sub0/) characterizing the loss in detail in a long exposure image is identified, and the influence of the correlation scale of turbulence as r/sub 0/ approaches this scale is shown. Allowing for the effect of 2-point correlations in the fluctuations of the refractive index, Venkatakrishnan and Chatterjee (1987) proposed a modified law for the phase structure function. It is suggested that the departure of the phase structure function from the 5/3 power law for length scales in the wavefront approaching the correlation scale of turbulence may lead to better 'seeing' at longer wavelengths.