Published online by Cambridge University Press: 13 November 2008
A description of the early days of infrared site testing at the SouthPole is given, with special attention paid to the data whichquantified the conditions during summer and the long twilight period.Such times are also provide relatively benign conditions for humans inAntarctica as well. We show that they are favourable for manyobserving programs that require the thermal infrared, and then discussa number of specific projects that could be undertaken. Such projectsmight mark the first to be conducted with any new telescope inAntarctica, as they would enable science to be carried out during thecommissioning period.