Astronomy and Astrophysics in Antarctica

Current U.S. Projects and ChallengesScott Borg, Director, Division of Antarctic SciencesVladimir Papitashvili, Program Director, Antarctic Aeronomy & AstrophysicsAstronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee October 14, 2008

IceCube Neutrino Observatory Another excellent austral summer season in 2007/08 (18 new DOM strings deployed for 40 total) and began science observations

10-m South Pole (submillimeter-wave) Telescope First light - February 17, 2007; successful scientific observations of Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect through austral winter seasons of 2007 & 2008

BICEP Gravitational Wave Background Telescope Successful observations of CMB polarization through austral winters of 2007 & 2008

PLATO at Dome A Successful site-testing experiment (2008 winter) to identify percentage and duration of dark time for optical astronomy & sky's transmission at 660GHz Astronomy and Astrophysics in Antarctica Recent Accomplishments

Recent Accomplishment - IceCube Neutrino Observatory 40Excellent Progress in 2007/08 40 DOM strings now in placeScience operations and scientific research have begunNew window on the universe is now open!

10m SPT Concluding its Second Year of Operations10m Sub-millimeter South Pole Telescope Recommended in 2001 Decadal Survey as Moderate Initiative ($50M) Funded in August 2002, first light in February 2007Confirmed viability of SZ survey strategy and began survey of galaxy clustersTesting various cosmological models for origin and early history of the Universe Searching for Dark Energy equationSZE of the Bullet Cluster (1E0657-56) at 150 GHz showing its total energy distribution in astounding details This is the hottest known collision of two different clusters of galaxies occurred about 150 million years ago

Gravitational Wave Background Telescope BICEPIn 2007-2008, produces CMB polarization maps of unprecedented sensitivity, achieving noise levels well below 1 mK in 1-deg pixelsE-mode polarization, which arises from well-known physics in the early Universe, is plainly visible at these mapsB-mode polarization is expected to be far fainter still - none is apparent in these mapsBICEP2/SPUD was funded in FY08; to be deployed in Dec 2009 and observe up to 2012Maps of CMB temperature (left) and CMB polarization (right) of deepest BICEP observationsBICEPs high sensitivity illustrated by very low residuals in the 100-150 GHz difference map (bottom left), which allows observations 100x fainter in degree-scale E-mode polarization pattern (right) These are the first high signal-to-noise maps of CMB polarization at which the signature of Inflation may appear in B-mode polarization

Chinese Small Telescope Array (CSTAR) is composed of 4 identical telescopes with an aperture 145 mm and a 4.54.5 field-of-view to observe variable stars and measure atmosphere extinction and sky brightness Pre-HEAT - a prototype for the High Elevation Antarctic Terahertz submillimeter-wave (660 GHz) telescope to measure the transparency of the sky above Dome A Surface layer Non-Doppler Acoustic Radar (SNODAR) is designed to measure the height and intensity of the atmospheric boundary layer on the Antarctic plateau PLATO at Antarctic highest (4-km) Dome AJoint Australian Chinese USA projectTotal 3.5 GB of data were transmitted via Iridium modem provided by USAPFully autonomous module powered by two Stirling engines, deployed by a 1300-km traverse from coastal Chinese station Zhongshan in January 2008Worked 205 days - a new record for a high power remote observatory in AntarcticaDome A Surface Layer Experiment (DASLE)GATTINI cameras - optical sky brightness, cloud cover, airglow

Long-Duration Ballooning from McMurdoFY07 - ANITA Flight TracksAugust 1988 first MOA signed between NASA and NSF - one LDB launch every two years beginning in January 1990 - 22 long-duration balloon payloads flown from McMurdo between 1990 and 2003 (~1.7 flights per year)Sep 2003 second MOA signed between NASA and NSF (expires March 31, 2009) - two launches per year beginning in December 2003 - 12 long-duration balloon payloads flown from McMurdo between 2003 and 2008 2007/08 - first time 3 payloads flown in one seasonTotal 34 payloads funded by NASA; 6 NSF co-funded Sep 2008 - Mar 2009 discussions underway toward third MOA 35 days, 3 circumnavigationsCREAM: record 42 days flight in FY05; 3 circumnavsFY05, FY06, FY08: 99 days of cumulative flight!

USAP Challenges in Astronomy & AstrophysicsGeneral Budget Challenges for NSF and USAP in particularFY08 flat from FY07; and FY09 flat at least through 6 Mar 09; FY10???South Pole three cutting-edge astrophysical projects, focused on CMB studies and neutrino physics:Astrophysical research of this kind requires significant logistical support (LC-130 flights, fuel, large teams on the ice in summer, etc.) M&O and Research funding challenges for long term support of this kind of scienceData transmission challenges NSF working with NASA to explore options but McMurdo NASAs highly successful Long Duration Balloon ProgramCurrent MOU ends March 2009; discussions underway for follow-onLogistical support to meet NASAs LDB launch goalsChallenging environmental issues with balloons recovery

***As of Oct 2008NSF/OPP/AIL pays ~750K to NASA for operation of TDRSS F1NSF is essentially the only user so has essentially no competition for priority use with this satellite TDRSS F1 is on last transmitter tube, with mean time to failure in mid-late 2010AIL paid for upgrades at Pole and White Sands to make better use of TRDSS capability (SPRT-1 project)Currently we are reliably transferring ~100Gb/day Super SPTR-1 upgrade underway is expected to improve data rate to ~140 Gb/daySPTR-2 project at Pole will provide steer-able dish in anticipation of TDRSS F1 failure when ability to see other TDRSS satellites will be needed.When TDRSS F1 dies, NSF will have to use an operational 1st Generation TDRSS satellite (F3, F4, F%, or F6) and will incur non-NASA customer charges and be subject to scheduling constraints without the priority we now enjoy Best estimate as of Oct 2008 is $4.75M/yr to meet current transfer rate of 100Gb/day (based on $/minute cost)Meeting our communitys potential wish-list would drive this to ~7M/yr