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5. The Low Atmosphere Turbulen...

Publication
The Low Atmosphere Turbulence at Dome C

Travouillon, Tony et al., 2003, IAU Special Session, 2, 10 | View on ADS (2003IAUSS...2E..10T)

Abstract

In the search for the ultimate ground-base astronomical site Antarctica is being extensively studied and has already shown a large amount of advantages over temperate sites currently hosting the largest telescopes. Within the continent Dome C differentiates itself by being on a local maximum part of the Antarctic plateau. In consequence the lower part of the atmosphere suffers less from the katabatic wind which is the main cause of seeing in Antarctica. Here we present the first turbulence profiles taken at Dome C in winter using a SODAR. This instrument is part of the site testing AASTINO project deployed in 2002/2003 by the University of New South Wales and in collaboration with the IPEV and Italiantartide. We discuss the implications of the turbulence for astronomy and compare it with the previously and similarly studied South Pole site.