Campaign report (from page 139 to page 184)

• the realization in the Concordia Station of the necessary work for to enable at the personnel to stay for the first Winter Over;
• The resumption and the conclusion of the deep drilling core activities expected in the EPICA program;
• the execution of Concordia scientific programmes.

Photo by Camillo Calvaresi		Photo by Camillo Calvaresi

• GPS permanent station
  A GPS permanent station has been installed in Dome Concordia Base (Antarctica). The point is located on the top of "Rumoroso" Tower. The benchmark is constituted of an iron pillar 30 cm height. A GPS Trimble 5700 starting from the end of November 2004, collects GPS data on an internal memory card.
  Antonio Zanutta, University of Bologna (Faculty of Engineering, DISTART)
  
  

  Photo by Antonio Zanutta		Photo by Antonio Zanutta

  
  
  
• From Dome C benefits of the earth observation
  It is just concluded at Dome C a first experiment, in collaboration with the European Spatial Agency (ESA), for the calibration of microwaves data satellite. IFAC-CNR researchers of Florence and CVA-ARPAV of Arabba have installed, on the tower of Dome C, a multifrequency microwaves radiometer, with similar characteristics to those that operate on board of satellites for the earth observation.
  For about one month measures to different angles of incidence and azimuth have been effected, 24 hours on 24, to get a detailed and continuous characterization of the emission and diffusion properties of the surface. The purpose of the experiment was to appraise the possibility to use the Dome C area as a calibrator for the tools that operate from satellites in the present and future spatial missions. For a correct interpretation of the microwaves data, some trenches (up to a maximum of 4 m of depth) have been done, in the same period, for the characterization of the most superficial layers of the snowy mantle. Along the vertical profile, the stratigraphic succession has been examined and, for every layer, shapes and dimensions of the grains and hardness, temperature and density of the snow have been measured.
  The first collected results have confirmed the spatial homogeneity of the site and the temporal stability of the signal emitted by the ice sheet. The experiment is followed with great interest by other international spatial agencies (NASA,JAXA) and the possibility to install a permanent station in the Dome C area will be soon evaluated.
  
  

  Photo by Giovanni Macelloni

  
  
  
• Study of the Planetary Boundary Layer process in Dome C (STABLEDC)
  Today December 20^th 2004, the first part of the summer activity in Dome Concordia of the group of scientists and technicians of the CNR in Rome is concluded. The group formed by A. Viola, A. Conidi and G. Dargaud, has worked for 15 days for the installation of scientific instrumentation.
  In the field of the project we have planned the winter Campaign 2004-2005 in concomitance with the opening of the permanent Base Concordia. The opening of Concordia, in fact, constitutes an unique opportunity to carry out measures in the PBL on the plateau in condition of extreme stability and for a long period in order to develop and to check new parameters to introduce in the circulation models.
  For the realization of the objective is foreseen the use of advanced technological tools that, for the first time, will be used together during the winter Campaign even if in the past they had been experimented on a case by case basis in various summer campaigns.
  The instrumentation will be taken care of by G. Dargaud who will be present at Concordia Base during the southern winter and he will allow the acquisition of important data for atmosphere physics. The diagram shows the stratification of the temperature in the first 600 meters of the atmosphere.
  A. P. Viola, A. Conidi, G. Dargaud, U. Bonafe'
  
  

  Photo by A. P. Viola, A. Conidi, G. Dargaud, U. Bonafe'

  
  
  
• Remote sensing and satellite validation
  This year we are completing the third and final year of the field program begun during the 2001-2002 field season and continued in 2002-2003. Our group of consists of three members this year Thomas Grenfell, Richard Brandt, and Stephen Hudson.
  Our work relates to optical and physical properties of the surface and properties of the atmosphere. Our report of research follows use an Analytical Spectral Devices (ASD) spectral radiometer. These experiments at Dome C are necessary to retrieve and properly interpret the surface signal detected by satellites over a broad range of wavelengths from the near ultraviolet through the visible to the solar infrared. Our instrument provides "hyperspectral" resolution over this entire range.
  1. Spectral transmission of light into snow.
     We used the ASD, together with a newly designed 130-cm hollow rod to house a fiber-optics light-pipe, to measure the intensity of the diffuse radiation field as a function of depth every 5 cm. The ASD and its computer are measured the transmission spectrum at two locations: about 200 meters northeast of the tower, and 500 meters southwest of the northeast corner of the Special Protected Area. The results were the same at both locations. This result is preliminary, pending final analysis of our observations, including measurements of the spectral albedo. We will require consistency between the data sets.
  2. Spectral albedo of snow.
     The ASD was used to measure spectral albedo at several locations along the north-east flag line delimiting the observation area for bidirectional reflectance. Observations have been carried out on two occasions, on 29 and 30 December. Illumination conditions were particularly stable on the latter occasion. The data are presently being analyzed.
  3. Bidirectional reflectance (BRDF) of snow.
     We have checked the condition of the 32-meter tower, and found it to be in good condition after the winter of 2004. The spectrophotometer and the computer system, have been prepared for BRDF measurements and the data downlink will be ready shortly.
  4. Air temperature and snow surface temperature.
     Using a pair of aspirated thermometers together with a KT-19 infrared radiometer we are investigating the temperature profile from the surface to an elevation of 32 meters. These observations will contribute to the these work of Stephen Hudson and are also of significance for the observations of astronomical "seeing" being conducted concurrently by Karim Agabi.
  5. Snow grain sizes.
     We are continuing the measurement and photography of snow grain sizes. We have made observations in a snow pit as a function of depth down to 100 cm at a site 150 meters northeast of the tower. We also measured the density profile and photographed the layering structure to provide the information needed for radiative transfer modeling of the optical observations, particularly those mentioned in 1 and 2 above.
  Richard BRANDT, Thomas GRENFELL, Stephen Hudson - University of Washington
  
  

  Photo by Sergio Tugnoli

  
  
  
• ConcordiAstro
  L'astronomie est certainement l'une des sciences phares qui seront développées à Dôme C durant les 10 ou 20 prochaines années. Absence de pollution, temps souvent dégagé, air très sec, transparence exceptionnelle, vent moyen très faible et atmosphère très stable : tels sont les atouts de ce site unique au monde. Installer ici un observatoire astronomique est resté longtemps un rêve pour les astronomes. Ce rêve est maintenant rendu possible par la présence de la base Concordia.
  A la fin des années 1990 un groupe de l'Université de Nice dirigé par Eric Fossat a proposé le tout premier programme d'observations astronomiques à Dôme C, avec la collaboration de l'Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur et de l'Osservatorio di Capodimonte de Naples. Cette opération financée par l'institut polaire français (IPEV) et baptisée «Concordiastro» est un véritable banc d'essai de l'astronomie à Dôme C. Son premier objectif était d'effectuer des test de qualité du site (en particulier la tubulence atmosphérique qui conditionne la résolution des images). Un second volet du programme prévoyait des mesures de sismologie de l'étoile brillante Alpha du Centaure… une thématique chère à Eric Fossat qui, en 1979 a pour la première fois détecté les pulsations de notre Soleil depuis le Pôle Sud.
  Le programme a démarré en 2000 et nos observateurs courageux (K.Agabi, E. Aristidi, T. Sadibekova) conduisent actuellement la cinquième campagne d'été. L'observatoire de Concordiastro se compose de deux plates formes en bois de 5 mètres de haut, qui accueuilleront cette année quatre télescopes. Ces télescopes ont été spécialement fabriqués pour travailler dans les conditions de froid de l'hiver polaire (températures de l'ordre de -70° à -80°). L'ensemble est prévu pour ètre piloté à distance depuis la station Concordia grâce à une liaison par fibre optique Les observations prévues avec les télescopes sont complétées par des lancers de ballons qui mesurent les propriétés de l'atmosphère jusqu'à une altitude de 25 km.
  Les précédentes campagnes d'été ont déjà apporté des résultats très encourageants qui nous font penser que Dôme C pourrait bel et bien tenir ses promesses de meilleur site astronomique du monde. Mais le plus important reste à venir : nous sommes au seuil du premier hivernage et Karim Agabi se prépare à passer un an sur le site. Les résultats de cet hivernage sont attendus par les astronomes du monde entier. Ils seront peut-être extraordinaires, sûrement inédits et constitueront certainement un tremplin pour le futur de l'astronomie à Dôme C.
  Eric Aristidi, Universitè de Nice - Sophia Antipolis
  
  

  Photo by Eric Aristidi

  
  
  
• The EPICA Project
  The deep perforation in the ice, EPICA (European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica), initiated in 1996 in Dome C at 3.230 m of altitude and over 1.000 km from the coast is concluded on 21^st December at the depth of 3.270,2 m. The age of the ice reached is estimated about 900.000 years old and it is, at the moment, the most ancient never achieved. So the researchers have an "ice core" that contains a detailed and continuous recording of the climate and terrestrial atmosphere history from around 900.000 years ago up to the present. The ice core drilled covers around 10-12 glacial-interglacial cycles, in comparison to the 4 cycles (420.000 years) contained in the ice core achieved near the Russian Vostok Base.
  The drilling activity in this Campaign is developed by a narrow number of Italians, French, Swiss and Danish researchers and technicians. To obtain a depth of 3.270,2 m there were notable difficulties: the last 70 m of perforation have been the most problematic because, at those depths, the ice temperature is near to the melting point and, therefore, they had to apply innovative technologies to be able to recover ice core of priceless scientific importance. From the study of the champions, further information will be achieved on the role that the greenhouse fumes and the atmospheric dusts have had in the climatic changes, getting worse the effects of other climatic components, such as the quantity and distribution of the solar receipt energy, the modifications in the atmospheric and oceanic circulation, the variations of terrestrial surface reflection, the volcanic activity, etc. These information are crucial for the projections of the climate variations. The analyses of the deep ice core will also allow to notice important information on the dynamics of the ice sheet and on the geologic evolution of the Antarctic continent.
  Ten European countries participate in the EPICA project of the European Science Foundation: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Norway, United Kingdom, Sweden and Switzerland, with national and the European Community funding. The logistic management of the field of perforation is jointly conducted by the French and Italian Antarctic Programs.
  
  EPICA Team

  Photo by EPICA Team

  
  
  
• Some links:
  • Meteo-climatological Observatory
  • Antarctic DOMEX experiment contributes to SMOS mission preparations
  • DOMEX 2004: an Experimental Campaign at Dome-C Antarctica for the Calibration of Space-Borne Low-Frequency Microwave Radiometers
  • The STABLEDC field experiment and RMO measurements at Concordia
  • AASTINO (Automated Astrophysical Site-Testing Observatory)
  • Australian scientists at Dome C
  • The Concordia Station on the Antarctic Plateau: The Best Site on Earth for the 21st Century Astronomers
  • CONCORDIASTRO - Nice
  • CONCORDIASTRO - Napoli
  • Antarctic astronomy: Seeing in the dark
  • EPICA (European Project of Ice Coring in Antarctica) - European Science Foundation
  • EPICA provides information for eight glacial cycles
  • EPICA (European Project of Ice Coring in Antarctica) - Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research