The Antarctic Planet Interferometer

• Published in: Highlights of Astronomy
• Main Author: Swain, Mark R.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2005
• Subjects: General Medicine; Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1539299600017792; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S1539299600017792

Abstract The Antarctic Planet Interferometer (API) is a concept for an infrared interferometer located at the best accessible site on Earth. Infrared interferometry is strongly effected by both the strength and vertical distribution of thermal and water vapor turbulence. The combination of low temperature, low wind speed, low elevation turbulence, and low precipitable water vapor make the Concordia base at Antarctic Dome C the best accessible site on Earth for infrared interferometry. The improvements in interferometer sensitivity with respect to other terrestrial sites are dramatic; an interferometer with two meter class telescopes could make unique infrared measurements of extra solar planets that might otherwise only be possible with a space-based interferometer.