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Is the Canadian Arctic the Future of Astronomy?

Posted by samzenpus on from the planets-and-poutine dept.

sciencehabit writes "Frigid temperatures, dry air, and endless nights should, in theory, make the polar regions top spots for ground-based optical astronomy. So far, Antarctica has been getting all the action, with a handful of optical telescopes peering into the sky from the icy continent. But a new study indicates that the Canadian high Arctic is also a good spot for ground-based optical astronomy. In fact, the great white north offers some practical advantages over the Antarctic."

4 of 106 comments (clear)

  1. Firstly... by smi.james.th · · Score: 4, Interesting

    To begin with, it'd probably be easier to get there.

    Disclaimer: I've never so much as been to Canada so I don't know what it's like in the polar region there, but I'd imagine that the lack of a huge southwards plane / boat voyage would be an immediate bonus over Antarctica.

    Probably be easier to get internet and other communication up there as well.

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  2. Advantages and drawbacks by Framboise · · Score: 3, Interesting

    For optical astronomy (that is in visible, near-infrared light) the long winter nights are good for observing objects continuously 24/24 as long as non-cloudy sky permits.
    Of course the converse occurs in summer when darkness doesn't exist for months.
    Polar auroras are also a nuisance.

  3. Re:melting permafrost by Rei · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Yeah, Antarctic buildings generally slowly sink/get buried; it's a big challenge. Bedrock is best.

    I'm surprised that Iceland isn't more utilized. It's a first-world nation, the north/northeast has lots of areas that are borderline desert, it's pretty far north (Fairbanks-ish, further north than Yellowknife), the whole country is well connected by an excellent road system (except for parts of Vestfirðir), there's a very low population density (and thus low light pollution outside the capitol region), a huge amount of aluminum production (it's one of the main exports), and electrical power is abundant and cheap. Sounds like a good site for building large high-latitude telescopes, IMHO.

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  4. Re:fiber by Prof.Phreak · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Never underestimate a ship packed with hard-drives... or something. Oftentimes FedEx-ing data is cheaper AND faster.

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    "If anything can go wrong, it will." - Murphy