The Scientific Potential for Astronomy from the Antarctic Plateau: A Report prepared by the Australian Working Group for Antarctic Astronomy

• Published in: Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
• Main Authors: Burton, Michael, Aitken, D. K., Allen, D. A., Ashley, M. C. B., Burton, M. G., Cannon, R. D., Carter, B. D., DaCosta, G. S., Dopita, M. A., Duldig, M. L., Edwards, P. G., Gillingham, P. E., Hall, P. J., Hyland, A. R., McGregor, P. J., Mould, J. R., Norris, R. P., Sadler, E. M., Smith, C. H., Spyromilio, J., Storey, J. W. V.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1994
• Subjects: Space and Planetary Science; Astronomy and Astrophysics; Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1323358000019809; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S1323358000019809

Our knowledge of the universe comes from recording the photon and particle fluxes incident on the Earth from space. We thus require sensitive measurement across the entire energy spectrum, using large telescopes with efficient instrumentation located on superb sites. Technological advances and engineering constraints are nearing the point where we are recording as many photons arriving at a site as is possible. Major advances in the future will come from improving the quality of the site. The ultimate site is, of course, beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, such as on the Moon, but economic limitations prevent our exploiting this avenue to the degree that the scientific community desires. Here we describe an alternative, which offers many of the advantages of space for a fraction of the cost: the Antarctic Plateau.