Where is the best site on Earth? Domes A, B, C and F, and Ridges A and B

TL;DR

This study systematically compares Antarctic sites for astronomy, finding Dome A and Ridge A as top contenders, with Dome F also being notably good, based on satellite data and atmospheric models.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive comparison of Antarctic sites specifically for astronomical observations, highlighting the potential of Ridge A and Dome F as superior sites.

Findings

Ridge A may be the best site overall.

Dome A is the best among existing bases.

Dome F is remarkably good for astronomy.

Abstract

The Antarctic plateau contains the best sites on earth for many forms of astronomy, but none of the existing bases was selected with astronomy as the primary motivation. In this article, we try to systematically compare the merits of potential observatory sites.We include South Pole, Domes A, C, and F, and also Ridge B (running northeast from Dome A), and what we call "Ridge A" (running southwest from Dome A). Our analysis combines satellite data, published results, and atmospheric models, to compare the boundary layer, weather, aurorae, airglow, precipitable water vapor, thermal sky emission, surface temperature, and the free atmosphere, at each site. We find that all Antarctic sites are likely to be compromised for optical work by airglow and aurorae. Of the sites with existing bases, Dome A is easily the best overall; but we find that Ridge A offers an even better site. We also find that Dome F is a remarkably good site. Dome C is less good as a thermal infrared or terahertz site, but would be able to take advantage of a predicted "OH hole" over Antarctica during spring.