Big Scope in Antarctica

[gaa_ian]

While no one was watching a 10M telescope has been built in Antarctica.
It is for observing in the submillimeter wavelength, but WOW :eyepop:
http://www.universetoday.com/2007/02/27/south-pole-telescope-sees-first-light/?1377

[glenc]

Interesting story. Thanks Ian.

[nightsky]

G'Day,
WOW love to have that "Baby" in my backyard ;)

[CoombellKid]

I knew they were talking about it, good to see it eventuated. I read
something about it awhiles back from memory the site was chosen
for being the best seeing on the planet. I just wonder how they'll
get around the dew problem. But I guess these things would of been
thought out first.

regards,CS

[ballaratdragons]

That's an interesting story Ian, thanks.

But who gets the job of scraping the ice off it every day? :lol:

[bird]

There is no dew, in fact there is no moisture of any sort - at those subzero temps the air is the driest anywhere on the planet, much drier than any desert :-)

cheers, Bird

[gaa_ian]

So Anthony when are you booking your ticket for an Imaging session on the Antarctic Plateau ? ;)

[CoombellKid]

Knowing a few folks that have been down there, it isn't sub-zero temps all
the time in fact during summer you can get sun burn fairly easily and snow
does melt. I almost had a chance myself to go for a 6 month stint in 1986
for a science TV progam in NZ. My old man had taken a few ships down there
too he was a Master 1 in the merchant navy. But I hear what your saying
perhaps the actual location is different. In anycase I would want allot of hot
coffee and a few good bottles of whisky.



regards,CS

[shredder]

Small point,

Sunburn isnt related to temp, or melting snow, its related to sunlight or in this case reflected sunlight (off the snow). I have been sunburnt several times in temps that have not been over -15C (not observing though).

Cheers

M

[ving]

wish i had 10m to spare in my backyard :P

thnx for the linky.

[DobDobDob]

In the interests of clarity, does your M refer to metres or millions ($) ? :P

[ving]

er... both Ron. I am not coming across as greedy am I? ;)

[DobDobDob]

I was just thinking that if you were hoping for 10 Million dollars, that would probably fall well short of the funds required to build that 10 metre telescope (even in a warmer place, like Campbelltown) :whistle:

[ving]

oh, i couldnt build it here... we are underwater at the moment :P

anyhow, we should stay on topic before we get into trouble :)

[CoombellKid]

Well Derrrrrrr:screwy: that's not what I actually said. What I was saying
or implying is it isn't sub-zero temps down there 100% of the time
but I guess that went a lil over your head. Sorry if it hurt.

regards,CS

[digby dart]

Enjoyed the article. Thank you gaa_ian.:)
Abhorred the bicker that followed.

[shredder]

Now Now CoombellKid, play nicely, I wasnt insulting you mearly pointing out a few mistakes in your proof as to how snow melts in Antartica....

What you actually said was...

"it isn't sub-zero temps all the time in fact during summer you can get sun burn fairly easily and snow does melt."

So please explain how getting sunburnt in summer has any relation to it being not sub-zero? It was your quote after all.

Oh and yes I think most people know snow melts... fairly common topic at the moment with global warming and all.

I think I will still go with the common oppinion that Antartica is the dryest place on Earth.

Cheers

M