Wide Field Astronomy at Dome C: two IR surveys complementary to SNAP

• Main Authors: Burgarella, D., Ferrari, M., Fusco, T., Langlois, M., Leroux, B., Moretto, G., Nicole, M.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: arXiv 2006
• Subjects: Astrophysics astro-ph; FOS Physical sciences; Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.astro-ph/0611556; https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0611556

Surveys provide a wealth of data to the astronomical community that are used well after their completion. In this paper, we propose a project that would take the maximum benefit of Dome C in Antarctica by performing two surveys, in the wavelength range from 1-5 micron, complementary to SNAP space surveys. The first one over 1000 sq. deg. (1 KdF) for 4 years and the second one over 15 sq. deg (SNAP-IR) for the next 4 years at the same time as SNAP 0.35-1.7 microns survey. By using a Ground-Layer Adaptive Optics system, we would be able to recover, at the ice level and over at least half a degree in radius, the 300 mas angular resolution available above the 30-m high turbulent layer. Such a survey, combining a high angular resolution with high sensitivities in the NIR and MIR, should also play the role of a pre-survey for JWST and ALMA. : Invited contribution to the 1st ARENA Conference on "Large Astronomical Infrastructures at CONCORDIA, prospects and constraints for Antarctic optical/IR Astronomy": 8 pages, 5 Postscript figures