The status of the AMICA project is reported. Final tests are currently running
at Teramo Observatory before moving the instrument to Antarctica. AMICA is a
camera equipped with two array detectors to perform astronomical imaging in the
2–28 μm band. It will be mounted at the IRAIT focal plane. Its very special
feature is the antarctic operability. AMICA subsystems have been tested at
typical antarctic conditions, in order to adopt technological solutions that
ensure the correct operation of AMICA even on the antarctic plateau. Moreover,
since human operations are not possible during the antarctic “winter", AMICA has
been designed to operate in a completely automatic mode. AMICA is essentially
aimed to demonstrate the potential of Antarctica for Infrared Astronomy and
should therefore produce significant data, both for astronomy and site-testing.
In addition, the experience gained in its technological development will be
useful for building future astronomical instruments for extreme environment
sites.