STELLA ANTARCTICA
in scheme: projects
definition: Short Title: STELLA ANTARCTICA Proposal URL: http://classic.ipy.org/development/eoi/proposal-details.php?id=385 Dome C in Antarctica is potentially the best astronomical site in the world, with conditions close to space for some atmospheric windows. An extensive site testing program at the Concordia French-Italian station is underway. Comprehensive results of this program will be available during the year 2007. Small-scale astronomical experiments should also give their first results during the IPY. In 2007, astronomers will then be able to target precisely the best scientific and observational niches for astronomy at Dome C. A European network (coordinated action in the frame of the Large Research Infrastructure Research Programme's of EEC), named ARENA has just started in January, 2006, and is devoted to this task. Among the observational niches, some are already clearly identified : submillimeter wavelengths, high angular resolution, as well as Wide field IR and optical observations, and continuous observations over days or weeks. The IPY offers a unique opportunity to discuss with national and international agencies the frame for a large astronomical infrastructure in Antarctica and to undertake its development. The development of astronomy at Dome C, for which several French and international teams (Italy, Australia, China, Germany, United Kingdom) have expressed their interest, has to be carried out in several steps. The next two years (2006-2007) will be devoted to the completion of the site characterization in Summer and Winter. The development of small astronomical experiments will additionally provide a good overview of the specific operational constraints that any observatory will face on this site. In the meantime, the polar institutes and astronomical agencies involved in the Concordia station (INAF and PNRA in Italy, IPEV and INSU in France) will discuss, in collaboration with the Arena consortium, whether and how they wish to open officially Concordia…
type: Concept

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type: Concept