Where Is the Best Site on Earth? Domes A, B, C, and F, and Ridges A and B

Saunders, Will; Lawrence, Jon; Storey, J. W. V.; Ashley, M. C. B.; Kato, Seiji; Minnis, Patrick; Winker, David M.; Liu, Guiping; Kulesa, Craig

doi:10.1086/605780

Cited by 70 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…The telescope is located at Dome A, Antarctica [30,31]. Its unique location allows for continuous observations lasting longer than 24 hours during the austral winter.…”

Section: Instrument Observations and Data Reductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical observations of LIGO source GW 170817 by the Antarctic Survey Telescopes at Dome A, Antarctica

Andreoni

et al. 2017

Science Bulletin

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The LIGO detection of gravitational waves (GW) from merging black holes in 2015 marked the beginning of a new era in observational astronomy. The detection of an electromagnetic signal from a GW source is the critical next step to explore in detail the physics involved. The Antarctic Survey Telescopes (AST3), located at Dome A, Antarctica, is uniquely situated for rapid response time-domain astronomy with its continuous night-time coverage during the austral winter. We report optical observations of the GW source (GW 170817) in the nearby galaxy NGC 4993 using AST3. The data show a rapidly fading transient at around 1 day after the GW trigger, with the i-band magnitude declining from 17.23 ± 0.13 magnitude to 17.72 ± 0.09 magnitude in ∼ 1.8 hour. The brightness and time evolution of the optical transient associated with GW 170817 are broadly consistent with the predictions of models involving merging binary neutron stars. We infer from our data that the merging process ejected about ∼ 10 −2 solar mass of radioactive material at a speed of up to 30% the speed of light.

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“…The telescope is located at Dome A, Antarctica [30,31]. Its unique location allows for continuous observations lasting longer than 24 hours during the austral winter.…”

Section: Instrument Observations and Data Reductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical observations of LIGO source GW 170817 by the Antarctic Survey Telescopes at Dome A, Antarctica

Andreoni

et al. 2017

Science Bulletin

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“…Figure 3 shows a plot of MHS-derived radiometric brightness temperature and precipitable water vapor along "Ridge A," which extends over 100 km south and west from Dome A. It would appear that the most southern, inland side of Ridge A lies closer to the null, or origin of the katabatic winds, and has lower atmospheric temperatures and water vapor and less cloud cover (Saunders et al 2009). It may therefore represent an even better site for both infrared and terahertz astronomy than Dome A.…”

Section: Analysis and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exceptional Terahertz Transparency and Stability above Dome A, Antarctica

Yang¹,

Kulesa²,

Walker³

et al. 2010

Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific

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ABSTRACT. We present the first direct measurements of the terahertz atmospheric transmission above Dome A, the highest point on the Antarctic plateau at an elevation of 4.1 km. The best-quartile atmospheric transmission during the Austral winter is 80% at a frequency of 661 GHz (453 μm), corresponding to a precipitable water vapor column of 0.1 mm. Daily averages as low as 0.025 mm were observed. The Antarctic atmosphere is very stable, and excellent observing conditions generally persist for many days at a time. The exceptional conditions over the high Antarctic plateau open new far-infrared spectral windows to ground-based observation. These windows contain important spectral-line diagnostics of star formation and the interstellar medium which would otherwise only be accessible to airborne or space telescopes.

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“…From analysis of satellite data Saunders et al (2009) predicted that Ridge A would have the lowest precipitable water vapour, and hence best THz transmission, of any site on the surface of the Earth. This led to building of the HEAT (High Elevation Antarctic Terahertz) telescope by Craig Kulesa at the University of Arizona to take advantage of this unique opportunity for THz imaging from the ground.…”

Section: Heat At Ridge Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Astronomy From the High Antarctic Plateau

Burton¹,

Yang²,

Ichikawa³

2015

Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society

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The Antarctic high plateau offers exceptional conditions for infrared and terahertz astronomy, as well as for programs requiring long, uninterrupted periods for measurements made with high cadence and photometric precision (i.e. time domain astronomy). In this review we summarise the special conditions of the Antarctic plateau which facilitate these observing regimes. We also outline some high profile science programs in each that could be conducted most effectively from the Antarctic high plateau, involving the first light in the Universe, the life cycle of our Galaxy, and the equation of state for the Universe. Three high plateau sites are under particular consideration for furthering such scientific programs-Dome A, Dome F and Ridge A. We summarise the activity underway at each site, which includes the building of new stations and the construction of facilities for optical, infrared and terahertz astronomy, as well as the plans for their future development.

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Where Is the Best Site on Earth? Domes A, B, C, and F, and Ridges A and B

Cited by 70 publications

References 24 publications

Optical observations of LIGO source GW 170817 by the Antarctic Survey Telescopes at Dome A, Antarctica

Optical observations of LIGO source GW 170817 by the Antarctic Survey Telescopes at Dome A, Antarctica

Exceptional Terahertz Transparency and Stability above Dome A, Antarctica

Astronomy From the High Antarctic Plateau

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