Infrared and sub-millimetre atmospheric characteristics of high Antarctic plateau sites

The best ground-based astronomical sites in terms of telescope sensitivity at infrared and sub-millimetre wavelengths are located on the Antarctic plateau – where high atmospheric transparency and low sky emission are observed due to the extremely cold and dry air; these benefits are well characterised at the South Pole station. The relative advantages offered by three potentially superior sites, Dome C, Dome F, and Dome A, located higher on the Antarctic plateau, are quantified here through the development of atmospheric models using the Line-By-Line Radiative Transfer Model code. In the near to mid-infrared, sensitivity gains relative to the South Pole of up to a factor of 10 are predicted at Dome A and a factor of 2 for Dome C. In the mid to far-infrared, sensitivity gains relative to South Pole up to a factor 100 are predicted for Dome A and 10 for Dome C. These values correspond to even larger gains (up to three orders of magnitude) compared to the best mid-latitude sites, such as Mauna Kea and the Chajnantor Plateau. Subject headings: atmospheric effects — balloons — site testing — telescopes