Analysis of the solution accuracy of the direct and inverse astronomical refraction problems using experimental data

The practically achievable accuracy of refraction index reconstruction in the optical range from the solution of the inverse astronomical refraction problem is estimated by processing a large amount of data obtained from simultaneous astronomical and aerological observations. The rms deviations of the measured astronomical refraction values from the values calculated from the sounding data are determined, providing a way to estimate the effective error of refraction index measurements and to analyze the error components. Also, a comparison of the reconstructed height profiles of the atmosphere parameters against the sounding data has made it possible to estimate the maximum errors of profile reconstruction and to analyze the error structure.