AIRO: The Antarctic Infrared Observatory

Trustees Of Boston University, Boston

Investigators

Abstract

The original proposal seeks funding to build an Antarctic Infrared Observatory (AIRO), a new 2-m diameter infrared telescope to be deployed at the South Pole. Antarctica provides a uniquely low thermal background for ground-based infrared astronomy. With only a modest aperture an infrared telescope in Antarctica can achieve extraordinary sensitivity. AIRO intends to exploit these unique conditions surveying the infrared sky and performing temporal monitoring studies. However, AIRO currently lacks a detailed conceptual design for the telescope and for its proposed first instrument, a 2 color (K + L, and K + M band) wide-field imaging camera. Developing such a design is critical to AIRO's success. The design will flow from the scientific requirements that maximize the scientific return from the low Antarctic thermal backgrounds. During the period covered by the revised effort, the proposers will (1) establish the detailed scientific requirements for the telescope and camera, (2) develop a conceptual optical and mechanical design for the infrared camera, (3) develop a conceptual optical design for the telescope, and (4) obtain robust cost estimates for the camera and telescope. This engineering study will increase the safety margin and mitigate risk in building the entire telescope in Antarctica. Moreover, a more realistic assessment of the technical and scientific requirements will result in a more accurate cost estimate.