Astronomy in the deep freeze

Useful Sites

Infrared astronomy (Infrared Processing and Analysis Center, USA)

Provides a variety of information about infrared radiation and infrared astronomy. 'What is infrared?' includes an explanation of infrared radiation and where it fits into the electromagnetic spectrum; 'Infrared astronomy' has a definition and explanations (includes images); and 'Images and videos' has a collection of images from a variety of fields, with explanations of the information gained from the images.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (transcripts)

Antarctic Astronomy (The Science Show, 23 October 2004)
A brief report on the potential for building a big new telescope at Dome C in Antarctica.

Dome C: Window to the stars (The Lab, 15 May 2003)
Describes the work done at Dome C in Antarctica by researchers from the University of New South Wales.

Going to the ends of the Earth (The Astronomical Society of the Pacific, USA)

Explains why the South Pole is a premier observatory site, and describes the research of the Center for Astrophysical Research in Antarctica (CARA) and the Antarctic Muon and Neutrino Detector Array (AMANDA).

Pluto's spic and span moon (The Why Files, USA)

A chatty description of what astronomers found out about Charon, Pluto's moon, using infrared telescopes. Also covers other uses of these telescopes.

Infrared astronomy: in the heat of the night (J W V Storey, 1999 Ellery Lecture, Astronomical Society of Australia)

Outlines the importance of infrared radiation to astronomers, traces some of the key Australian developments, and looks at the future of the field.

Australian Antarctic Division

Amazing Antarctica
Provides a range of information about Antarctica (eg, size, climate, exploration, research stations and living organisms).

Astronomy program
Summarises Australia's astronomy program.

Antarctic region (University of Texas, USA)

A clear map of the Antarctic region. The site proposed for the Douglas Mawson Telescope is 1600 kilometres from the South Pole, directly inland from Australia's Casey station.

Australian telescopes

Anglo-Australian Observatory

Australia Telescope National Facility (CSIRO)

Mount Stromlo and Siding Spring Observatories (Australian National University)

External sites are not endorsed by the Australian Academy of Science.
Page updated March 2005.