 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
China builds observatory at South Pole
Beijing (UPI) Mar 20, 2008 An international team led by China has installed an automated space observatory at Dome Argus, the highest point on the South Pole. The Polar Research Institute of China completed installation work last month on the fully robotic Plateau Observatory on the Antarctic icecap peak, which is 13,428 feet above sea level. Texas A&M astrophysicist Lifan Wang said data from the observatory are expected to provide insights into the universe once possible only through observations from space. "Dome Argus is believed to be the best site for ground-based astronomy," Wang, head of the Chinese Center for Antarctic Astronomy, said in a release. "Unlike the stormy Antarctic coast, the plateau is a very quiet place with very low wind speed. It is the coldest and driest place on Earth. These are critical conditions of a good site at which to build an observatory." The observatory must operate completely unattended until Chinese scientists return to Dome Argus next January, the university said. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Beyond the Ice Age
Antarctica's Coldest, Darkest Season Draws MSU Researchers
Bozeman MT (SPX) Mar 11, 2008John Priscu normally works in Antarctica during its warmest and longest days. He usually shares the continent with scientists from all over the world. This year is different. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
