Search

The status of the AMICA project is reported. Final tests are currently running at Teramo Observatory before moving the instrument to Antarctica. AMICA is a camera equipped with two array detectors to perform astronomical imaging in the 2-28 μm band. It will be mounted at the IRAIT focal plane. Its very special feature is the antarctic operability. AMICA subsystems have been tested at typical antarctic conditions, in order to adopt technological solutions that ensure the correct operation of AMICA even on the antarctic plateau. Moreover, since human operations are not possible during the antarctic "winter", AMICA has been designed to operate in a completely automatic mode. AMICA is essentially aimed to demonstrate the potential of Antarctica for Infrared Astronomy and should therefore produce significant data, both for astronomy and site-testing. In addition, the experience gained in its technological development will be useful for building future astronomical instruments for extreme environment sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Antarctic Multiband Infrared Camera (AMICA) is a double channel camera operating in the 2-28 μm infrared domain (KLMNQ bands) that will allow to characterize and exploit the exceptional advantages for Astronomy, expected from Dome C in Antarctica. The development of the camera control system is at its final stage. After the investigation of appropriate solutions against the critical environment, a reliable instrumentation has been developed. It is currently being integrated and tested to ensure the correct execution of automatic operations. Once it will be mounted on the International Robotic Antarctic Infrared Telescope (IRAIT), AMICA and its equipment will contribute to the accomplishment of a fully autonomous observatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]