First look at HRCAM images from Dome A, Antarctica

• Published in: Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
• Main Authors: Sims, Geoff, Ashley, Michael C. B., Cui, Xiangqun, Feng, Long Long, Gong, Xuefei, Hu, Zhongwen, Lawrence, Jon S., Luong-Van, Daniel M., Shang, Zhaohui, Storey, John W. V., Tothill, Nick, Wang, Lifan, Yang, Huigen, Yang, Ji, Zhou, Xu, Zhu, Zhenxi
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2012
• Subjects: Astronomy and Astrophysics; Space and Planetary Science; Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1743921312016651; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S1743921312016651

Abstract HRCAM (High Resolution CAMera) is a Canon 50D 15-megapixel digital SLR camera equipped with a Sigma 4.5 mm f/2.8 fish-eye lens. It was installed at Dome A on the Antarctic plateau in January 2010 and photographs the sky every 15 minutes. Primarily functioning as a site-testing instrument, data obtained from HRCAM provide valuable statistics on cloud cover, sky transparency and the distribution and frequency of auroral activity. We present a first look at data from HRCAM during 2010, including an overview of how we intend to reduce the images. We also demonstrate the potential of stellar photometry by using linear combinations of the in-built Canon RGB filters to convert instrumental magnitudes into the photometric BVR bands.