Observing Conditions for Submillimeter Astronomy

Consistently superb observing conditions are crucial for achieving the scientific objectives of a telescope. Submillimeter astronomy is possible only at a few exceptionally dry sites, notably Mauna Kea, the Antarctic plateau, and the Chajnantor region in the high Andes east of San Pedro de Atacama i...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Radford, Simon J. E.
Format: Text
Language:unknown
Published: arXiv 2011
Subjects:
Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics astro-ph.IM
FOS Physical sciences
Antarctic
South Pole
The Antarctic
Antarc*
South pole
Online Access:https://dx.doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.1107.5633
https://arxiv.org/abs/1107.5633
Description
Summary:Consistently superb observing conditions are crucial for achieving the scientific objectives of a telescope. Submillimeter astronomy is possible only at a few exceptionally dry sites, notably Mauna Kea, the Antarctic plateau, and the Chajnantor region in the high Andes east of San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chile. Long term measurements of 225 GHz and 350 μm atmospheric transparency demonstrate all three locations enjoy significant periods of excellent observing conditions. Conditions on the Chajnantor plateau and at the South Pole are better more often than on Mauna Kea. Conditions are better during winter and at night. Near the summit of Cerro Chajnantor, conditions are better than on the Chajnantor plateau.

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