Dome Fuji, on the Antarctic plateau, is expected to be one of the best sites for infra-red astronomy. In Antarctica, the coldest, driest air on Earth provides the deepest detection limit. Furthermore, the weak atmospheric turbulence above the boundary layer allows for high spatial resolution. We plan to perform site-testing at Dome Fuji during the austral summer of 2010-2011. This will be the first observation to use an optical/infra-red telescope at Dome Fuji. This paper introduces the Antarctic Infra-Red Telescope with a 40cm primary mirror (AIRT40) which will be used in this campaign; it is an infra-red Cassegrain telescope with a fork equatorial mount. AIRT40 will be used for not only site testing (measurement of seeing and sky background) and daytime astronomical observation during this summer campaign, but also for remote scientific observations during the 2012-2014 winter-over campaign. For this purpose, AIRT40 has to work well even at -80 degree Celsius. Therefore, we accounted for the thermal contraction of the materials while designing it, and made it with special parts which were tested in a freezer. For easy operation, many handles for transportation and a polar alignment stage were installed. Moreover, we confirmed that this telescope has enough pointing, tracking, and optical accuracy for the summer campaign through the test observations at Sendai, Japan. Because of these preparations AIRT40 is suited for observations at Dome Fuji. In the 2010-2011 campaign AIRT40 will be used to measure the seeing, infra-red sky background, and to observe Venus.
In Antarctica the cold and dry air is expected to provide the best observing conditions on the Earth for astronomical
observations from infra-red to sub-millimeter. To enjoy the advantages in Antarctica, we have a plan to make
astronomical observations at Dome Fuji, which is located at inland Antarctica. However, the harsh environment is very
problematic. For example, the temperature comes down to as low as-80 degree Celsius in winter, where instruments
designed for temperate environment would not work. In this context, we have developed a 40 cm infra-red telescope,
which is dedicated for the use even in winter at Dome Fuji. In designing the telescope, we took account of the difference
of the thermal expansion rate among materials, which were used for the telescope. Movable parts like motors were
lubricated with grease which would be effective at -80 degrees. Most parts of the telescope are made of aluminum to
make the telescope as light as possible, so that it makes the transportation from seacoast to inland and assembling at
Dome Fuji easier. We also report the experiment that we have done at Rikubetsu (the coldest city in Japan) in February
2008.
This paper details the design process for AIR-C, the Antarctic Infra-Red Camera, for use with Tohoku University's 40
cm Antarctic telescope. The camera will also be compatible with the planned 2 meter class Japanese telescope at Dome
F. First, we review of the design requirements which shaped the development process. The optical chain receives the
most detailed discussion. The other components will be discussed briefly. The effect of cryogenic temperatures on the
lenses was taken into account during the design process. AIR-C's performance is predicted. Finally, we discuss the
scientific potential for a small Antarctic telescope.
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