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5. Dome C---the best astronomi...

Publication
Dome C---the best astronomical site in the world?

Storey, J. W. V. et al., 2003, Memorie della Societa Astronomica Italiana Supplementi, 2, 13 | View on ADS (2003MSAIS...2...13S)

Abstract

A decade of site testing at the South Pole has shown that the Antarctic Plateau can offer enormous opportunities for astronomers. The combination of extreme cold and dryness, high altitude and very low wind speeds throughout the troposphere confers powerful advantages---especially for infrared and sub-millimetre astronomy. However, Dome C is higher, drier and colder than South Pole, and has significantly lower wind speed. Could it be an even better site? In this paper we review the South Pole results and derive predictions for Dome C. We also discuss new and existing Dome C data, and present plans to further characterise the Dome C site with experiments such as the AASTINO.