The best astronomical site on earth? A modern optical/infrared telescope is only as good as its site. We have previously shown that the infrared skies above the South Pole are up to 100 times darker than skies elsewhere, leading to enormous potential gains in sensitivity. We now seek to extend these measurements to Antarctic sites that are even higher, drier and colder than the South Pole. These are expected to be the best observing sites on Earth, paving the way for the deployment of telescop ....The best astronomical site on earth? A modern optical/infrared telescope is only as good as its site. We have previously shown that the infrared skies above the South Pole are up to 100 times darker than skies elsewhere, leading to enormous potential gains in sensitivity. We now seek to extend these measurements to Antarctic sites that are even higher, drier and colder than the South Pole. These are expected to be the best observing sites on Earth, paving the way for the deployment of telescopes of unprecedented sensitivity able to explore the origins of planets, stars and galaxies.
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Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453434
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,077.00
Summary
A new airborne facility for environmental, hydrological, atmospheric and oceanic research: high resolution measurement of soil moisture, temperature and salinity. This proposal seeks to establish a new national capability for airborne remote sensing of key environmental variables. It will enable high-resolution mapping of near-surface soil moisture, land surface salinity and temperature, and ocean surface salinity and temperature. It will be a new tool for hydrologic, atmospheric and oceanic r ....A new airborne facility for environmental, hydrological, atmospheric and oceanic research: high resolution measurement of soil moisture, temperature and salinity. This proposal seeks to establish a new national capability for airborne remote sensing of key environmental variables. It will enable high-resolution mapping of near-surface soil moisture, land surface salinity and temperature, and ocean surface salinity and temperature. It will be a new tool for hydrologic, atmospheric and oceanic researchers, providing unprecedented detail on characteristics critical to our understanding and management of the environment. The small instrument size and weight will enable use of a light aircraft as the observing platform, providing the national (and international) research community with an affordable tool, hitherto unavailable.Read moreRead less