Is the Canadian Arctic the Future of Astronomy? 106
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."
Firstly... (Score:5, 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.
Advantages and drawbacks (Score:4, 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.
Re:melting permafrost (Score:5, 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.
Re:fiber (Score:5, Interesting)
Never underestimate a ship packed with hard-drives... or something. Oftentimes FedEx-ing data is cheaper AND faster.