Site Testing At Dome C: History, Present Status & Futur

J. Vernin (1) , A. Agabi (1) , E. Aristidi (1) , M. Azouit (1) , M. Chadid-Vernin , E. Fossat (1) , T. Sadibekova (2) , A. Ziad (1)

1 LAGRANGE - Joseph Louis LAGRANGE
2 AIM (UMR7158 / UMR_E_9005 / UM_112) - Astrophysique Interprétation Modélisation

Here we present why we decided to undertake a site characterization at Dome C, Antarctica following a first step made at South Pole. It was clear that poor seeing measured at South Pole was mainly due to ground catabatic wind interacting with strong vertical temperature (refractive index) gradient. Thus, we though to move to Dome C where no catabatic wind is expected. We will recall the history of this long adventure. Then we will present the more recent results which concern daytime observations as well as nighttime observations, as measured by DIMM, balloons, GSM and SSS. From this database and the very special vertical distribution fo the optical turbulence at Dome C, we will present some strong implications for High Angular Resolution astronomy at Dome C.

Domaines: Astrophysique [astro-ph]

J. Vernin, A. Agabi, E. Aristidi, M. Azouit, M. Chadid-Vernin, et al.. Site Testing At Dome C: History, Present Status & Futur. IAU XXVIth General Assembly, 2006, Prague, Czech Republic. ⟨hal-02678379⟩