Science Goals for Antarctic Infrared Telescopes
Michael G. Burton, John W.V. Storey, Michael C.B. Ashley, PASA, 18 (2), in press.
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Contents Page: Volume 18, Number 2

Science Goals for Antarctic Infrared Telescopes

Michael G. Burton - John W.V. Storey - Michael C.B. Ashley

Joint Australian Centre for Astrophysical Research in Antarctica,
School of Physics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052
 
M.Burton@unsw.edu.au

Abstract:

Over the past few years, site-testing at the South Pole has revealed conditions that are uniquely favorable for infrared astronomy. In particular, the exceptionally low sky brightness throughout the near- and mid-infrared leads to the possibility of a modest-sized telescope achieving comparable sensitivity to that of existing 8-10 metre class telescopes. An 8m Antarctic telescope, if constructed, would yield performance that would be unrivaled until the advent of the NGST. In this paper we review the scientific potential of infrared telescopes in Antarctica, and discuss their complementarity with existing 8-10m class telescopes and future proposed space telescopes. In particular, we discuss the role that a 2m class infrared telescope plays in future plans for the development of an observatory on the Antarctic plateau.

Keywords: Antarctica, site testing, telescopes, instrumentation: miscellaneous, infrared: general, stars: formation, galaxies: formation, planetary systems