Astronomical Observing Conditions at Xinglong Observatory from 2007 to 2014

Abstract

Xinglong Observatory of the National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese\nAcademy of Sciences (NAOC), is one of the major optical observatories in China,\nwhich hosts nine optical telescopes including the Large Sky Area Multi-Object\nFiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) and the 2.16 m reflector. Scientific\nresearch from these telescopes is focused on stars, galaxies, and exoplanets\nusing multicolor photometry and spectroscopic observations. Therefore, it is\nimportant to provide the observing conditions of the site, in detail, to the\nastronomers for an efficient use of these facilities. In this article, we\npresent the characterization of observing conditions at Xinglong Observatory\nbased on the monitoring of meteorology, seeing and sky brightness during the\nperiod from 2007 to 2014. Results suggest that Xinglong Observatory is still a\ngood site for astronomical observations. Our analysis of the observing\nconditions at Xinglong Observatory can be used as a reference to the observers\non targets selection, observing strategy, and telescope operation.\n