225-GHz atmospheric opacity of the South Pole sky derived from continual radiometric measurements of the sky-brightness temperature

1994 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 1095 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Chamberlin ◽  
John Bally
2004 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 264-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Chamberlin

AbstractIn 1992 an NRAO 225-GHz site survey heterodyne radiometer was placed at the Geographical South Pole. The instrument operated over an entire annual cycle and provided direct measurements of the millimetre-wave sky brightness temperature as a function of zenith angle. Interpreted in a single-slab ‘skydip’ radiation transfer model of the atmosphere, these sky brightness measurements provided a time series of the millimetre atmospheric opacity. Statistics derived from this opacity time series were important for making comparisons with other candidate millimetre and sub-millimetre wave astronomy sites. This paper reexamines the 1992 measurements and the original analysis. Details of the skydip fit model, radiometer gain error, instrument stability, and a mid-season replacement to a window in the instrument enclosure combined to cause a modest under-reporting of the atmospheric opacity in previous reports. Unchanged are earlier conclusions that dry air makes a significant contribution to the total opacity at 225 GHz.


2004 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 256-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo G. Calisse ◽  
Michael C. B. Ashley ◽  
Michael G. Burton ◽  
Michael A. Phillips ◽  
John W. V. Storey ◽  
...  

AbstractWe have developed a 350 μm radiometer to perform automated site testing in remote regions of Antarctica. In summer 2000–2001 the instrument operated at Concordia, a new station under construction at Dome C on the Antarctic Plateau. We present the results, and compare them with the atmospheric opacity measured at the South Pole in the same five-week period. During these five weeks, observing conditions at Dome C were, on average, substantially better than those at the South Pole.


1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C. B. Ashley ◽  
Michael G. Burton ◽  
James P. Lloyd ◽  
John W. V. Storey

1998 ◽  
Vol 110 (748) ◽  
pp. 747-753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig H.  Smith ◽  
Doyal A.  Harper

1996 ◽  
Vol 108 ◽  
pp. 718 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. T. Nguyen ◽  
Bernard J. Rauscher ◽  
Scott A. Severson ◽  
Mark Hereld ◽  
D. A. Harper ◽  
...  

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (14) ◽  
pp. 697-697
Author(s):  
Suzanne L. Kenyon ◽  
John W.V. Storey

Dome C, Antarctica is a prime site for astronomical observations in terms of climate, wind speeds, turbulence, and infrared and terahertz sky backgrounds (for example, see Aristidi et al. 2005; Storey et al. 2005). However, at present little is known about the optical sky brightness and atmospheric extinction. Using a variety of modelling techniques, together with data from the South Pole, the brightness of the night sky at Dome C is estimated in Kenyon & Storey (2006) including the contributions from scattered sunlight, moonlight, aurorae, airglow, zodiacal light, integrated starlight, diffuse Galactic light and artificial sources. The results are compared to Mauna Kea, Hawaii. We summarise the main conclusions.


2005 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 973-973
Author(s):  
Richard A. Chamberlin

AbstractA sub-millimeter Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) was used at the South Pole to acquire wide frequency span (300 GHz < v < 2 THz) measurements of the atmospheric opacity, T(V). Comparisons were made with other ongoing measurements to allow inference of typical wintertime observing statistics.


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