Comparative Analysis of the Propagation Conditions of Millimeter Radio Waves at Radio Astronomy Polygons in Russia and Uzbekistan

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Abstract
The feasibility of expanding the evaluation parameters was discussed when selecting the “Karadag” test site for the installation of millimeter-wave antennas based on the following: a comparative analysis of the data on the integral atmosphere moisture content in the time interval from August 2019 to January 2020 for the NIRFI NNSU “Karadag” test site, three IAA RAS test sites (“Zelenchukskaya”, “Svetloe”, and “Badary”) and the construction site of the 70-m radio telescope on the “Suffa” plateau (Uzbekistan) (average values for 1981–1991). This is due to the absence of places in the Russian Federation territory with consistently good atmospheric transparency in the millimeter-wave range, comparable to the Chahnantor plateau in Chile. Using the monthly average values of the integral moisture content as the main criterion for choosing a test site, one should consider both the characteristic of the wind rose at the “Karadag” test site and a more detailed daily and intraday distribution of moisture content. At the “Karadag” test site, even in summer, high transparency of the atmosphere periodically appears. Integral moisture content decreases to levels comparable to this parameter in the Suffa mountain area. The results obtained make it possible to correct the current principles for the placement of astronomical instruments and space communication systems of the millimeter and submillimeter-wave ranges in the territory of the Russian Federation.

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