Ground-based asteroseismology of the future in Antarctica

Abstract

A new solution is emerging for ground-based asteroseismology with thepotential opening of Dome C in Antarctica as an astronomical site. At alatitude of 75° South, many sources becomes observable withoutinterruption for several weeks, as a space instrument is doing. However,bringing a high resolution grating spectrometer in such a site would be aheavy operation. Hence, a study has been conducted for a different type ofvelocity seismometer, based on an interferometer (Mosser et al. 2003), leading to the concept of a compact, monolithicinstrument, without moving parts, called SIAMOIS. A singleinstrument of this type behind a 2-m class telescope could reach therequired sensitivity to observe solar-type stars of magnitude <5, with avelocity precision of few cm s^-1 after 5 days. The implementation ofa robotic 80-cm telescope (IRAIT) as a first equipment could make possiblethe preliminary tests of this new seismometer.