Antarctic Schmidt Telescopes (AST3) for Dome A

Xiangqun Cui; Xiangyan Yuan; Xuefei Gong

doi:10.1117/12.789458

10 July 2008 Antarctic Schmidt Telescopes (AST3) for Dome A

Xiangqun Cui, Xiangyan Yuan, Xuefei Gong

Proceedings Volume 7012, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes II; 70122D (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.789458
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2008, Marseille, France

Abstract

Since Chinese scientific expedition team first arrived Dome A in 10, Jan., 2005, meteorological data have been obtained from this highest point of the Antarctic Plateau. It is likely that Dome A can be the best site for ground-based astronomy. Chinese astronomy community, led by Chinese Center for Antarctic Astronomy, is part of an international effort to survey Dome A for astronomical observations, and has built 4 small telescopes (CSTAR) which have been installed at Dome A in 2008. We report here a more ambitious goal: three Antarctic Schmidt telescopes (AST3) with aperture 50 cm each and the modified Schmidt system (about half shorter tube comparing with normal one) are being constructed, and will be installed for observation at Dome A in Jan., 2010. AST3 will be used for the discovery and exploration of astrophysical transients. This paper presents the technical configuration, design of these Schmidt telescopes, and study on technical challenges for telescope at such a special place with extremely environment on the earth.

Citation Download Citation

Xiangqun Cui, Xiangyan Yuan, and Xuefei Gong "Antarctic Schmidt Telescopes (AST3) for Dome A", Proc. SPIE 7012, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes II, 70122D (10 July 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.789458

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