AMICA at Dome C: results from the first year of automatic operation tests in Antarctica

摘要

Results from the first year of AMICA operations at Dome C are presented. AMICA is an astronomical camera forimaging between 2 and 24 μm designed to work automatically at the extreme conditions of Antarctica. Except for thecryostat, AMICA devices are hosted inside a rack whose operating conditions are automatically controlled.120 days of environmental tests data have been obtained in 2011. The data concern the operating parameters of thesystem. The results show an excellent performance. A quality factor is computed as a function of the external conditionsand a few critical correcting actions are described.© (2012) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.