A laser beacon for monitoring the mesospheric sodium layer at La Palma

Authors
Michaille, L Canas, AD Dainty, JC Maxwell, J Gregory, T Quartel, JC Reavell, FC Wilson, RW Wooder, NJ
Citation
L. Michaille et al., A laser beacon for monitoring the mesospheric sodium layer at La Palma, M NOT R AST, 318(1), 2000, pp. 139-144
Citations number
19
Categorie Soggetti
Space Sciences
Journal title
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
ISSN journal
00358711 → ACNP
Volume
318
Issue
1
Year of publication
2000
Pages
139 - 144
Database
ISI
SICI code
0035-8711(200010)318:1<139:ALBFMT>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
We report the results of the first laser beacon experiment at the astronomi cal site of La Palma (Canary Islands). A continuous wave low-power laser (a few hundred mW) system has been set up. The laser, tuned on the sodium D-2 line at 589 nm, is launched close to the zenith angle. The emission of the mesospheric sodium layer is observed from a telescope located 160 m away f rom the laser. The layer is therefore resolved in altitude and the differen t features of its dynamics are investigated.