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Another visit by
scientists |
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| Rooisand was again chosen as a
site for scientific work: this time scientists from the Alfred-Wegener-Institut
in Bremerhaven, Germany, spent several weeks testing and monitoring. Last year
a DLR team was hosted for test readings (see
News Archive September 2007). |
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This
year the scientists again conducted astronomical observations, but in this case
not for the purpose of astronomical research but rather for atmospheric
research. As one of them put it:
"... within
the framework of the international research project TAVERN (Tropospheric
Aerosol and thin clouds Variability over the East Antarctic plateau including
RadiatioN budget) a star photometer for measuring the optical thickness of
aerosol in the polar night will be installed at the French-Italian Dome
Concordia station on the Antarctic plateau by the Alfred-Wegener-Institut in
January 2009. An overall idea of the measuring system can be obtained from the
website of Dr Schulz und
Partner. In preparation for the Antarctic mission, a first series of system
tests as well as more substantial research on the southern stars which are
favoured for the measurements were carried out at Rooisand. In addition, sun
photometer readings of the optical thickness of aerosol were taken during the
day. |
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factors for choosing Rooisand were the favourable geographical location,
reliable power supply, internet access, the very clean and consistent
atmospheric conditions and the large number of clear nights. The transparency
of the atmosphere was excellent. Even though our research coincided with the
end of the rainy season we were able to make use of just about every
night."...
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More
information on the TAVERN project is available on the website of the
Alfred Wegener Institute in
Bremerhaven; for details on the measuring method click
here. |
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