Prospects for an Antarctic Observatory

Following a 1989 USA conference on Astrophysics from Antarctica, a number of proposals have been advanced to exploit the great astronomical potential of this region. The most interesting is for an international station at a new site chosen for optimum astronomical performance. Near the highest point of the ice plateau (where the pressure altitude is about 5000 m), the extremely dry cold atmosphere will allow effective observation through many wavelength ranges currently inaccessible from the ground. There is also reason to believe that better seeing than is otherwise obtainable from the Earth’s surface may be achievable. Astronomers interested in future Antarctic observing should co-operate in presenting cases to their governments for support facilities there.