A different glance to the site testing above Dome C

TL;DR

This paper reviews site testing results at Dome C in Antarctica, highlighting its superior optical turbulence conditions above 20-30 meters and discussing strategies to compare it with mid-latitude sites for astronomical facility planning.

Contribution

It provides new analysis strategies and identifies critical open questions for comparing Dome C's atmospheric conditions with other potential astronomical sites.

Findings

Optical turbulence above Dome C is better than other sites above 20-30 meters.

Dome C shows promising conditions for large astronomical facilities.

Further analysis needed to quantify how much better Dome C is than mid-latitude sites.

Abstract

Due to the recent interest shown by astronomers towards the Antarctic Plateau as a potential site for large astronomical facilities, we assisted in the last years to a strengthening of site testing activities in this region, particularly at Dome C. Most of the results collected so far concern meteorologic parameters and optical turbulence measurements based on different principles using different instruments. At present we have several elements indicating that, above the first 20-30 meters, the quality of the optical turbulence above Dome C is better than above whatever other site in the world. The challenging question, crucial to know which kind of facilities to build on, is to establish how much better the Dome C is than a mid-latitude site. In this contribution we will provide some complementary elements and strategies of analysis aiming to answer to this question. We will try to concentrate the attention on critical points, i.e. open questions that still require explanation/attention.