Extra-Galactic Science from Antarctica

Centro de Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto (CAUP), Rua das Estrelas S/N, 4150-762 Porto, Portugal

Abstract

Antarctica in general, and the Antarctic plateau in particular offers significant gains for astronomical observations as detailed in this book. Here the prospects for extra-galactic astronomy from Antarctica and in particular Dome C, in the relatively near future is critically examined. It is clear that Dome C will provide a very good site for certain types of observations, and reverberation mapping of Active Galactic Nuclei, observation of transient phenomena such as supernovae and gamma-ray bursts, and wide-field thermal IR imaging of VISTA fields are very interesting topics for a modest facility at Dome C. While it is clear that Dome C promises to offer significant gains for survey astronomy in the near- and thermal-IR and has the potential to be the premier site for wide field NIR And MIR imaging surveys from the ground, I highlight the obstacles both in form of technical challenges and sky coverage.