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ASO: An Antarctic Submillimeter Observatory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 January 2006

M. Giard ,
F. Casoli ,
F. Paletou ,
L. Olmi ,
G. Pelosi ,
L. Piccirillo ,
P. Saraceno ,
G. Sironi  and
J. W.V. Storey
L. Olmi
Affiliation:
Institute of Radio Astronomy, Florence, Italy
G. Pelosi
Affiliation:
University of Florence, Italy
L. Piccirillo
Affiliation:
University of Cardiff, UK
P. Saraceno
Affiliation:
IFSI-CNR, Rome, Italy
G. Sironi
Affiliation:
University of Milan Bicocca, Italy
J. W.V. Storey
Affiliation:
University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Abstract

Due to the typical high atmospheric noise and low transparency, submillimeter observations can be carried out only from sites with very high atmospheric stability and very low precipitable water vapour content. The Antarctic Plateau is important because of its remarkable atmospheric transparency and stability. Logistical difficulties have limited till now the exploitation of the unprecendented potential of Antarctica as a site for submillimeter observations. The opening of Concordia Station at Dome C is now offering to the international astronomical community a unique opportunity to perform ground-breaking astronomical science. The proposal from our multi-national group represents a first step toward the realization of an international Antarctic Submillimeter Observatory (ASO) based on a telescope with a large collecting area (12 m diameter) to carry out both continuum and spectral line observations, particularly in the 200 and 225 μm atmospheric windows and possibly also in the Mid InfraRed at wavelengths ≳40 μm.

Type
Research Article
Information
European Astronomical Society Publications Series , Volume 14: Dome C Astronomy and Astrophysics Meeting , 2005 , pp. 219 - 224
Copyright
© EAS, EDP Sciences, 2005

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