Lunar photometry at Teide Peak Observatory (3555 m a.s.l.)

On 17 May 2016, a sun-sky-lunar Cimel CE318-T multiband photometer (triple photometer) was installed at the Teide Peak Observatory (28° 16′ 12.7″ N, 16° 38′ 19.6″ W, 3555 m a.s.l.). This new instrument, manufactured by Cimel Electronique, has been developed and evaluated at the Izaña Atmospheric Research Centre (IARC–AEMET) in the framework of a joint project. The CE-318T is able to perform both day and night-time observations to obtain aerosols optical properties and water vapour in the atmospheric column.

The photometer installed at Teide is one of the three triple photometers that will be installed at Tenerife at different altitudes including sea level at the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Observatory and 2400 m a.s.l. at the Izaña Atmospheric Observatory.

Furthermore, the European Space Agency (ESA) is interested in moon radiance measurements taken at Teide Peak Observatory with the objective of assessing the performance of the moon radiance models applied in satellite sensor calibration.

Sun-sky-lunar Cimel CE318-T multiband photometer. Left, night-time AOD observations. Right, installation at Teide Peak Observatory.