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The IRAIT Project Infrared Astronomy from Antarctica

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 January 2006

M. Busso
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, University of Perugia, Italy
G. Tosti
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, University of Perugia, Italy
F. Roncella
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, University of Perugia, Italy
M. Bagaglia
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, University of Perugia, Italy
G. Nucciarelli
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, University of Perugia, Italy
R. Fastellini
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, University of Perugia, Italy
O. Straniero
Affiliation:
INAF, Observatory of Collurania - Teramo, Italy
M. Dolci
Affiliation:
INAF, Observatory of Collurania - Teramo, Italy
M. Ragni
Affiliation:
INAF, Observatory of Collurania - Teramo, Italy
I. Di Varano
Affiliation:
INAF, Observatory of Collurania - Teramo, Italy
L. Corcione
Affiliation:
INAF, Observatory of Torino, Italy
C. Abia
Affiliation:
Istituto de Física Teórica y del Cosmo, Universidad de Granada, Spain
I. Dominguez
Affiliation:
Istituto de Física Teórica y del Cosmo, Universidad de Granada, Spain
F. Rossi
Affiliation:
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Perugia, Italy
A. Nicolini
Affiliation:
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Perugia, Italy
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Abstract

The Concordia Station (Candidi 2003), on the Antarctica Plateau, will soon become one of the best observatories to perform infrared observations in the 2–20 μm atmospheric windows and beyond, thanks to its low sky background, low temperature and high atmospheric transparency. The possibility of passively cooling the telescope is a further advantage. We describe here the first permanent Antarctic infrared telescope, under development for the Dome C base. It is the International Robotic Antarctic Infrared Telescope (IRAIT). We briefly outline a few scientific motivations for it, then we review the technical characteristics and the status of its development. The infrared camera for IRAIT is described in another dedicated paper in this volume.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© EAS, EDP Sciences, 2005

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