Site testing for submillimetre astronomy at Dome C, Antarctica
International audience Aims. Over the past few years a major effort has been put into the exploration of potential sites for the deployment of submillimetre astronomical facilities. Amongst the most important sites are Dome C and Dome A on the Antarctic Plateau, and the Chajnantor area in Chile. In...
Published in: | Astronomy & Astrophysics |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
Other Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
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HAL CCSD
2011
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Online Access: | https://hal.science/hal-01006479 https://hal.science/hal-01006479/document https://hal.science/hal-01006479/file/aa17345-11.pdf https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201117345 |
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openpolar |
institution |
Open Polar |
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Institut national des sciences de l'Univers: HAL-INSU |
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ftinsu |
language |
English |
topic |
site testing atmospheric effects submillimeter: general [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-AO-PH]Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics [physics.ao-ph] |
spellingShingle |
site testing atmospheric effects submillimeter: general [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-AO-PH]Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics [physics.ao-ph] Tremblin, Pascal Minier, V. Schneider, N. Al. Durand, G. C. B. Ashley, M. S. Lawrence, J. M. Luong-Van, D. W. V. Storey, J. An. Durand, G. Reinert, Y. Veyssiere, C. Walter, C. Ade, P. G. Calisse, P. Challita, Z. Fossat, E. Sabbatini, L. Pellegrini, A. Ricaud, P. Urban, Jakub Site testing for submillimetre astronomy at Dome C, Antarctica |
topic_facet |
site testing atmospheric effects submillimeter: general [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-AO-PH]Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics [physics.ao-ph] |
description |
International audience Aims. Over the past few years a major effort has been put into the exploration of potential sites for the deployment of submillimetre astronomical facilities. Amongst the most important sites are Dome C and Dome A on the Antarctic Plateau, and the Chajnantor area in Chile. In this context, we report on measurements of the sky opacity at 200 μm over a period of three years at the French-Italian station, Concordia, at Dome C, Antarctica. We also present some solutions to the challenges of operating in the harsh polar environment. Methods. The 200-μm atmospheric opacity was measured with a tipper. The forward atmospheric model MOLIERE (Microwave Observation LIne Estimation and REtrieval) was used to calculate the atmospheric transmission and to evaluate the precipitable water vapour content (PWV) from the observed sky opacity. These results have been compared with satellite measurements from the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) on Metop-A, with balloon humidity sondes and with results obtained by a ground-based microwave radiometer (HAMSTRAD). In addition, a series of experiments has been designed to study frost formation on surfaces, and the temporal and spatial evolution of thermal gradients in the low atmosphere. Results. Dome C offers exceptional conditions in terms of absolute atmospheric transmission and stability for submillimetre astronomy. Over the austral winter the PWV exhibits long periods during which it is stable and at a very low level (0.1 to 0.3 mm). Higher values (0.2 to 0.8 mm) of PWV are observed during the short summer period. Based on observations over three years, a transmission of around 50% at 350 μm is achieved for 75% of the time. The 200-μm window opens with a typical transmission of 10% to 15% for 25% of the time. Conclusions. Dome C is one of the best accessible sites on Earth for submillimetre astronomy. Observations at 350 or 450 μm are possible all year round, and the 200-μm window opens long enough and with a sufficient transparency to be ... |
author2 |
Institut de Recherches sur les lois Fondamentales de l'Univers (IRFU) Université Paris-Saclay-Direction de Recherche Fondamentale (CEA) (DRF (CEA)) Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA) Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux Pessac (LAB) Université de Bordeaux (UB)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Observatoire aquitain des sciences de l'univers (OASU) Université Sciences et Technologies - Bordeaux 1 (UB)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Université Sciences et Technologies - Bordeaux 1 (UB) Laboratoire Hippolyte Fizeau (FIZEAU) Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (1965 - 2019) (UNS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur Université Côte d'Azur (UniCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UniCA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Agenzia Nazionale per le nuove Tecnologie, l’energia e lo sviluppo economico sostenibile = Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) Laboratoire d'aérologie (LAERO) Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3) Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP) Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3) Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales Toulouse (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales Toulouse (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Tremblin, Pascal Minier, V. Schneider, N. Al. Durand, G. C. B. Ashley, M. S. Lawrence, J. M. Luong-Van, D. W. V. Storey, J. An. Durand, G. Reinert, Y. Veyssiere, C. Walter, C. Ade, P. G. Calisse, P. Challita, Z. Fossat, E. Sabbatini, L. Pellegrini, A. Ricaud, P. Urban, Jakub |
author_facet |
Tremblin, Pascal Minier, V. Schneider, N. Al. Durand, G. C. B. Ashley, M. S. Lawrence, J. M. Luong-Van, D. W. V. Storey, J. An. Durand, G. Reinert, Y. Veyssiere, C. Walter, C. Ade, P. G. Calisse, P. Challita, Z. Fossat, E. Sabbatini, L. Pellegrini, A. Ricaud, P. Urban, Jakub |
author_sort |
Tremblin, Pascal |
title |
Site testing for submillimetre astronomy at Dome C, Antarctica |
title_short |
Site testing for submillimetre astronomy at Dome C, Antarctica |
title_full |
Site testing for submillimetre astronomy at Dome C, Antarctica |
title_fullStr |
Site testing for submillimetre astronomy at Dome C, Antarctica |
title_full_unstemmed |
Site testing for submillimetre astronomy at Dome C, Antarctica |
title_sort |
site testing for submillimetre astronomy at dome c, antarctica |
publisher |
HAL CCSD |
publishDate |
2011 |
url |
https://hal.science/hal-01006479 https://hal.science/hal-01006479/document https://hal.science/hal-01006479/file/aa17345-11.pdf https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201117345 |
genre |
Antarc* Antarctic Antarctica |
genre_facet |
Antarc* Antarctic Antarctica |
op_source |
ISSN: 0004-6361 EISSN: 1432-0756 Astronomy and Astrophysics - A&A https://hal.science/hal-01006479 Astronomy and Astrophysics - A&A, 2011, 535 (A112), pp.1-8. ⟨10.1051/0004-6361/201117345⟩ |
op_relation |
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/arxiv/1110.4311 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.1051/0004-6361/201117345 hal-01006479 https://hal.science/hal-01006479 https://hal.science/hal-01006479/document https://hal.science/hal-01006479/file/aa17345-11.pdf ARXIV: 1110.4311 doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201117345 |
op_rights |
info:eu-repo/semantics/OpenAccess |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201117345 |
container_title |
Astronomy & Astrophysics |
container_volume |
535 |
container_start_page |
A112 |
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1797571593697755136 |
spelling |
ftinsu:oai:HAL:hal-01006479v1 2024-04-28T07:58:46+00:00 Site testing for submillimetre astronomy at Dome C, Antarctica Tremblin, Pascal Minier, V. Schneider, N. Al. Durand, G. C. B. Ashley, M. S. Lawrence, J. M. Luong-Van, D. W. V. Storey, J. An. Durand, G. Reinert, Y. Veyssiere, C. Walter, C. Ade, P. G. Calisse, P. Challita, Z. Fossat, E. Sabbatini, L. Pellegrini, A. Ricaud, P. Urban, Jakub Institut de Recherches sur les lois Fondamentales de l'Univers (IRFU) Université Paris-Saclay-Direction de Recherche Fondamentale (CEA) (DRF (CEA)) Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA) Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux Pessac (LAB) Université de Bordeaux (UB)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Observatoire aquitain des sciences de l'univers (OASU) Université Sciences et Technologies - Bordeaux 1 (UB)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Université Sciences et Technologies - Bordeaux 1 (UB) Laboratoire Hippolyte Fizeau (FIZEAU) Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (1965 - 2019) (UNS)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur Université Côte d'Azur (UniCA)-Université Côte d'Azur (UniCA)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Agenzia Nazionale per le nuove Tecnologie, l’energia e lo sviluppo economico sostenibile = Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) Laboratoire d'aérologie (LAERO) Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3) Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées (OMP) Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UT3) Université de Toulouse (UT)-Université de Toulouse (UT)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales Toulouse (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National d'Études Spatiales Toulouse (CNES)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Météo-France-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) 2011 https://hal.science/hal-01006479 https://hal.science/hal-01006479/document https://hal.science/hal-01006479/file/aa17345-11.pdf https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201117345 en eng HAL CCSD EDP Sciences info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/arxiv/1110.4311 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.1051/0004-6361/201117345 hal-01006479 https://hal.science/hal-01006479 https://hal.science/hal-01006479/document https://hal.science/hal-01006479/file/aa17345-11.pdf ARXIV: 1110.4311 doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201117345 info:eu-repo/semantics/OpenAccess ISSN: 0004-6361 EISSN: 1432-0756 Astronomy and Astrophysics - A&A https://hal.science/hal-01006479 Astronomy and Astrophysics - A&A, 2011, 535 (A112), pp.1-8. ⟨10.1051/0004-6361/201117345⟩ site testing atmospheric effects submillimeter: general [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-AO-PH]Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics [physics.ao-ph] info:eu-repo/semantics/article Journal articles 2011 ftinsu https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201117345 2024-04-05T00:30:24Z International audience Aims. Over the past few years a major effort has been put into the exploration of potential sites for the deployment of submillimetre astronomical facilities. Amongst the most important sites are Dome C and Dome A on the Antarctic Plateau, and the Chajnantor area in Chile. In this context, we report on measurements of the sky opacity at 200 μm over a period of three years at the French-Italian station, Concordia, at Dome C, Antarctica. We also present some solutions to the challenges of operating in the harsh polar environment. Methods. The 200-μm atmospheric opacity was measured with a tipper. The forward atmospheric model MOLIERE (Microwave Observation LIne Estimation and REtrieval) was used to calculate the atmospheric transmission and to evaluate the precipitable water vapour content (PWV) from the observed sky opacity. These results have been compared with satellite measurements from the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) on Metop-A, with balloon humidity sondes and with results obtained by a ground-based microwave radiometer (HAMSTRAD). In addition, a series of experiments has been designed to study frost formation on surfaces, and the temporal and spatial evolution of thermal gradients in the low atmosphere. Results. Dome C offers exceptional conditions in terms of absolute atmospheric transmission and stability for submillimetre astronomy. Over the austral winter the PWV exhibits long periods during which it is stable and at a very low level (0.1 to 0.3 mm). Higher values (0.2 to 0.8 mm) of PWV are observed during the short summer period. Based on observations over three years, a transmission of around 50% at 350 μm is achieved for 75% of the time. The 200-μm window opens with a typical transmission of 10% to 15% for 25% of the time. Conclusions. Dome C is one of the best accessible sites on Earth for submillimetre astronomy. Observations at 350 or 450 μm are possible all year round, and the 200-μm window opens long enough and with a sufficient transparency to be ... Article in Journal/Newspaper Antarc* Antarctic Antarctica Institut national des sciences de l'Univers: HAL-INSU Astronomy & Astrophysics 535 A112 |