SCAR AAA

Our mission

Broadly stated, the objectives of the SCAR Scientific Research Programme Astronomy & Astrophysics from Antarctica are to coordinate astronomical activities in Antarctica in a way that ensures the best possible outcomes from international investment in Antarctic astronomy, and maximizes the opportunities for productive interaction with other disciplines.

Deliverables

Quantitative assessments of the potential of each Antarctic plateau station to contribute to astronomy. See our SCAR AAA database of site-testing papers!
Advances in the understanding of Antarctic meteorology, as it applies to astronomical observations
Improved coordination with atmospheric and ionospheric researchers
Papers in peer-reviewed journals
Properly archived data sets of site-testing data

Recent astronomical research from Antarctica

Jul 2017

Measurement of Atmospheric Neutrino Oscillations at 6-56 GeV with IceCube DeepCore The IceCube Collaboration

A measurement of the atmospheric neutrino oscillation parameters using three years of data from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory at the South Pole.

Jul 2017

Constraints on Galactic Neutrino Emission with Seven Years of IceCube Data The IceCube Collaboration

An analysis of seven years of data puts new constraints on neutrino emission from the Galactic Plane.

May 2017

BICEP2 / Keck Array IX: New Bounds on Anisotropies of CMB Polarization Rotation and Implications for Axion-Like Particles and Primordial Magnetic Fields Keck Array, BICEP2 Collaborations

Presents the strongest constraints to date on anisotropies of CMB polarization rotation derived from 150 GHz data taken by the BICEP2 & Keck Array CMB experiments.

Feb 2017

Variable Stars Observed in the Galactic Disk by AST3-1 from Dome A, Antarctica Wang, L. et al

Reports on time-series photometry of 92,583 stars, observed with a 0.5 metre optical telescope at Dome A. Several interesting classes of variable stars were found.

Dec 2016

Terahertz and far-infrared windows opened at Dome A in Antarctica Shi, S-C et al.

The terahertz and far-infrared is important for astrophysics as it hosts the peak of the thermal radiation of the cold component of the Universe as well as many spectral lines that trace the cycle of interstellar matter. A new analysis of measurements from Dome A show the advantages of this site for such observations.

Dec 2016

Bicep2/Keck Array VIII: Measurement of Gravitational Lensing from Large-Scale B-mode Polarization Keck Array, BICEP2 Collaborations

New images with excellent sensitivity (~3μK-arcmin) make it possible to directly reconstruct the lensing potential using only information at larger angular scales.

SCAR AAA Special Research Program meetings

Next meeting: Polar 2018, Davos, Switzerland, 15-26 June 2018

31 Jul - 4 Aug 2017: Fourth Workshop AAA2017, Chiang Mai, Thailand

20-30 August 2016: XXXIV SCAR meeting, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Report

7-10 August 2015: Third Workshop AAA2015, Volcano, Hawaii

26 August 2014: SkyCity Conference centre, Auckland, New Zealand. Minutes

24-26 July 2013: Second Workshop AAA2013, Siena, Italy

14 July 2012: Hilton Hotel, Portland, Oregon, USA. Minutes

29 June - 1 July 2011: AAA Kick-off meeting, Taronga Zoo, Sydney

1 August 2010: Hotel Panamericano Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Minutes

SCAR AAA planning group meetings

7 August 2009	Centro de Convencoes SulAmerica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Minutes
11 May 2009	Grand Hotel Villa Tuscolana, Frascati, Italy. Minutes

Working Groups

Working Group A: Site testing, validation and data archiving.	Working Group B: Arctic site testing.
Working Group C: Science goals.	Working Group D: Major new facilities.