Proposal for Submillimeter Astronomy Center at Dome C - Sydney IAU GA July 2003

1. A proposed centre for mm and sub-mm astronomy at Dome C G.Sironi Dipartimento di Fisica G. Occhialini Universita` degli Studi di Milano Bicocca giorgio.sironi@mib.infn.it Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

2. An International Center for Submillimeter Astronomy at Dome C, Antarctica ? Working Group P. G. Calisse1,2, P. de Bernardis3, L. Olmi4,5, L. Piccirillo6, G. Sironi7 and J. Delabrouille8, M. Gervasi7, Y. Giraud- Heraud8, J. M. Lamarre9, S. Masi3, P. Mauskopf6, F. Pajot10, John W. V. Storey1 1 School of Physics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia 2 Amundsen-Scott Station, South Pole, Antarctica 3 University of Rome "La Sapienza", Italy4 Institute of Radio Astronomy, Florence, Italy5 University of Puerto Rico, S. Juan, PR, USA 6 University of Cardiff, United Kingdom 7 University of Milan Bicocca, Italy 8 PCC/College de France, Paris, France9 LERMA/Observatoire de Paris, France10 IAS, Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, France Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

3. mm and sub-mm astronomy Stellar Astrophysic stellar formation, molecular clouds, ... Galactic Astropysics interstellar medium, diffuse emission, SNR, ... Extragalactic Astroph. galaxies, protogalaxies, clusters, ... Cosmology 3K Relic Radiation: fine structures (spectrum, anisotropies, polarization), S-Z …. Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

4. mm and sub-mm astronomy Crucial for quality observations: atmospheric stabilty atmospheric transparency Atmospheric transp. affected by 1)Oxygen content (pressure) 2)Water vapour (dry site)  Best condition found in large desertic areas on mountains Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

5. Sites on the Antarctic Plateau Antarctic Plateau : a desertic very dry elevated and extended area Site lat. long. H/p South Pole -89.99 45.88E 2847 m 680 hPa Dome C -74.66 124.16E 3280 m 645 hPa Vostok -78.45 106.87E 3420 m 635 hPa Dome A -80.2 78.5E 4030 m 584 hPa Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

6. mm and sub-mm astronomy : comparison among sites Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

7. mm and sub-mm astronomy: comparison among sites At 350 mm on the Antarctic Plateau • opacity better than Chajnantor`s small improvements in t makle a large difference • opacity rms deviation (a measure of the sky noise) much better than Chainantor`s a 350 mm , background limited, system at Dome C would be ~4 x faster than Chajnantor`s and ~ 100 x faster than Mauna Kea Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

8. mm and sub-mm astronomy: comparison among sites Best sub-mm sky Routine observations at 450 and 350 micron Window at 200 micron Exceptionally low sky noise Antarctic Plateau instead of Space ? (at mm and sub-mm wavelengths) Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

9. mm and sub-mm astronomyactivities going on on the Antarctic Plateau • 3K Relic Radiation • Spectrum South Pole • Anisotropy South Pole, Dome C, Long Duration • Balloons • Polarization South Pole, Dome C, Long Duration • Balloons • S-Z Effect South Pole, Dome C • Stellar Astrophysics South Pole, Dome C • Interstellar medium South Pole, Dome C Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

10. mm and sub-mm astronomy in Antarctica: example of data Boomerang (De Bernardis et al. 1999) Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

11. mm and sub-mm astronomy in Antarctica: example of data Study of Southern Bok Globules with AST/RO F.Scappini et al. Bologna-Firenze-Harvard-Milano Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

12. mm and sub-mm astronomy in Antarctica: example of data Study of Southern Bok Globules with AST/RO F.Scappini et al. Bologna-Firenze-Harvard-Milano Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

13. South Pole 2002 CMB Polarization DASI detection Dome C 1998 CMB Polarization Milano experiment Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

14. mm and sub-mm astronomy in Antarctica The Antarctic Plateau is a unique site for sub-mm Astronomy Existing facilities (South Pole) are saturated A new place with even better conditions can be found in Dome C We propose the creation of an international centre for sub-mm astronomy in Dome C Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

15. Dome Concordia at Dome C 1998: model 2003 Station almost ready Automatic tests going on (AASTINO) 2005 Winter operations Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

16. A centre for mm and sub-mm astronomy in Antarctica how to proceed ? • Create a Working Group to prepare a strong and compelling scientific and technical case for (sub)millimeter facilities and instrumentation to be built at Concordia station Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

17. A centre for mm and sub-mm astronomy in Antarctica Working Group aims : 1 Investigate how selected astrophysical and cosmological questions can be converted into coherent frontier science at submm wavelengths Establish facilities, experiment(s) and capabilities (in theory, data analysis, instrumentation and technology) required to address the above questions and available at the participating Institutions. Review facilities and experiments existing elsewhere Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

18. A centre for mm and sub-mm astronomy in Antarctica • Working Group aims : 2 • Evaluating the possibilty of building a large facility (a 12 m diameter telescope ?) for sub-mm astronomy within the context of the Concordia station project: • design • logistics • cargo • cost Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

19. A centre for mm and sub-mm astronomy in Antarctica To whom is the WG supposed to report ? Inform the broadest number of Institutions and scientists, in and out of Europe, about the possibilities offered by Dome C for sub(millimeter) astronomy The potential scientific payoff is so high that a European and International perspective and effort are required to fully reap the benefits Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

20. A centre for mm and sub-mm astronomy in Antarctica Critical issues : 1 • Access to the required state-of-the-art frontend/backend technology (e.g., detector arrays or mm and sub-mm antennas). • Link with other mm and sub-mm facilities (ALMA, 8m SP telescopes, …) • Concordia station as a workbench for the development of automated and robotized instrumentation? Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

21. A centre for mm and sub-mm astronomy in Antarctica • Critical issues : 2 • Evaluation of total and operating costs • national and international agencies • existing telescopes/instrumentation Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

22. A centre for mm and sub-mm astronomy in Antarctica Critical issues : 3 Links with Organizations involved in the development of Antarctic Astronomy, and with Antarctic Programs or Organizations: French-Italian Concordia Project  EPB - European Polar Board  SCAR - Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research  IAU Antarctic Working Group  National Antarctic Programs  ……….. Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

23. A centre for mm and sub-mm astronomy in Antarctica Conclusions  Sub-mm Astronomy offers unique opportunities for frontier science  Dome C is the best submm site known to date. The creation here of a reliable and accessible submm facility is fundamental for the European and International astronomical community  A spontaneous Working Group is already operative in studying the critical issues involved. An official (IAU ?) working group can improve the quality of the results Sydney IAU GA - July 2003

24. mm and sub-mm astronomy at Dome C March 2003 Dome C seen by AASTINO Sydney IAU GA - July 2003