Science Goals for Antarctic Infrared Telescopes

Abstract Over the past few years, site-testing at the South Pole has revealed conditions that are uniquely favourable for infrared astronomy. In particular, the exceptionally low sky brightness throughout the near and mid-infrared leads to the possibility of a modest-sized telescope achieving compar...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
Main Authors: Burton, Michael G., Storey, John W. V., Ashley, Michael C. B.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2001
Subjects:
Space and Planetary Science
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Antarctic
South Pole
The Antarctic
Antarc*
Antarctica
South pole
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/as01026
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S1323358000003052
Description
Summary:Abstract Over the past few years, site-testing at the South Pole has revealed conditions that are uniquely favourable for infrared astronomy. In particular, the exceptionally low sky brightness throughout the near and mid-infrared leads to the possibility of a modest-sized telescope achieving comparable sensitivity to that of existing 8–10 metre class telescopes. An 8 metre Antarctic telescope, if constructed, would yield performance that would be unrivalled until the advent of the NGST. In this paper we review the scientific potential of infrared telescopes in Antarctica, and discuss their complementarity with existing 8–10 metre class telescopes and future proposed space telescopes. In particular, we discuss the role that a 2 metre class infrared telescope plays in future plans for the development of an observatory on the Antarctic plateau.

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