| Issue |
EAS Publications Series
Volume 40, 2010
3rd ARENA Conference: An Astronomical Observatory at CONCORDIA (Dome C, Antarctica)
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|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | 147 - 155 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/eas/1040020 | |
| Published online | 23 December 2009 | |
L. Spinoglio and N. Epchtein (eds)
EAS Publications Series, 40 (2010) 147-155
Thermal infrared instruments from Antarctica: what can be gained
European Southern Observatory, Karl-Schwarzschild-Strasse 2, 85748 Garching b. München, Germany; e-mail: www.eso.org/ rsiebenm
The gain of thermal infrared instruments in the 2–25 μm wavelength range from Antarctica is summarized by comparing three parameters: the ambient temperature; the atmospheric transparency, with perceptible water vapor content (PWV) in particular; and the image quality. For the 2 m class infrared telescope projects at Dome C the estimated mid infrared point source sensitivity can be compared to the sensitivities reached at 10 m class telescopes elsewhere. This comparison favors a thermal IR instrument at Dome C with focus on key science cases; two examples are: i) Survey type projects, such as mid infrared photometric imaging or spectro–polarization campaigns of YSO. Or ii) monitoring and rapid response observations on the Galactic Centre, the LMC, SN or GRB.
© EAS, EDP Sciences, 2010