Observations of the Antarctic infrared sky spectral brightness

Jon S. Lawrence; Michael C. B. Ashley; Michael G. Burton; John W. V. Storey

doi:10.1117/12.456999

24 December 2002 Observations of the Antarctic infrared sky spectral brightness

Jon S. Lawrence, Michael C. B. Ashley, Michael G. Burton, John W. V. Storey

Proceedings Volume 4836, Survey and Other Telescope Technologies and Discoveries; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.456999
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2002, Waikoloa, Hawai'i, United States

Abstract

An important parameter that defines the effectiveness and efficiency of any optical or infrared sky survey is the atmospheric character of the observing site. Of prime importance is the sky spectral brightness, which determines the sensitivities and the observing time required to complete a particular survey. This paper presents observations of the near-infrared sky spectral brightness measured at the South Pole throughout the 2001 winter with an automated instrument, the Near Infrared Sky Monitor (NISM). Results from the NISM confirm that the South Pole sky spectral brightness is up to two orders of magnitude lower than at any other ground-based site, consistent with previous observations. These results indicate that the Antarctic plateau is an ideal place to site a future infrared sky survey telescope.

Citation Download Citation

Jon S. Lawrence, Michael C. B. Ashley, Michael G. Burton, and John W. V. Storey "Observations of the Antarctic infrared sky spectral brightness", Proc. SPIE 4836, Survey and Other Telescope Technologies and Discoveries, (24 December 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.456999

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