Modeling the Spatio-Temporal Variability of the Atmospheric Refractive Index in Optical Measurements

The paper proposes approaches and mathematical models for assessing the spatio-temporal variability of the refractive index of the atmosphere during optical measurements. In the calculations, such characteristics of temperature-wind sounding of the atmosphere as temperature and humidity, atmospheric pressure, etc. are used. The obtained mathematical models allow restoring the field of the atmospheric refractive index, which is subject to strong changes in the surface layer. Accordingly, taking into account the obtained data leads to a decrease in the error of optical measurements, which reaches a maximum on inclined paths, where the path of observation of objects differs from a straight line. The initial information for the calculations are: the values and magnitudes of the gradient of the refractive index, as well as the viewing angles of the object relative to the normal. Using mathematical models, the numerical values of possible errors are calculated, which is necessary to adjust the results of optical measurements.