Observing conditions for optical astronomy at Leh

Abstract

The sky and atmospheric conditions at Leh have been monitored since 1984 with a view to determining its suitability as a site for a high-altitude observatory. During May-November, 1987, relative humidity and other parameters were monitored giving qualitative indices viz. photometric and spectroscopic hours, and seeing conditions throughout the nonwinter months. Extinction coefficients in UBV bands have been measured on 30 nights in 1987. The average values of extinction coefficients are k(v) = 0.18 + or - 0.05 (s.d.), k(b) = 0.28 + or - 0.04, and k(u) = 0.53 + or - 0.04. These values agree well with those reported earlier for 1985-1986, and appear to represent consistent conditions