
Concordia Research Station, which opened in 2005, is a French–Italian research facility managed by l'
Institut polaire français Paul-Émile Victor and
Programma Nazionale di Ricerche in Antartide, that was built above sea level on a geographical formation known as
dôme C, on the
Antarctic Plateau,
Antarctica
Antarctica () is Earth's southernmost and least-populated continent. Situated almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean (also known as the Antarctic Ocean), it contains the geographic South Pole. ...
. It is located inland from the French research station at
Dumont D'Urville
Jules Sébastien César Dumont d'Urville (; 23 May 1790 – 8 May 1842) was a French explorer and naval officer who explored the south and western Pacific, Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica. As a botanist and cartographer, he gave his name ...
, inland from Australia's
Casey Station
Casey Station, commonly called Casey, is one of three permanent stations and research outposts in Antarctica managed by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). Casey lies on the northern side of the Bailey Peninsula (Antarctica), Bailey Peninsu ...
and inland from the Italian
Zucchelli Station at
Terra Nova Bay. Russia's
Vostok Station is away. The
Geographic South Pole is away. The facility is also located within Australia's claim on Antarctica, the
Australian Antarctic Territory
The Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) is a part of East Antarctica claimed by Australia as an external territory. It is administered by the Australian Antarctic Division, an agency of the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the E ...
.
Concordia Station is the third permanent, all-year research station on the Antarctic Plateau besides Vostok Station and the
Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station
The Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station is a science and technology in the United States, United States scientific research station at the South Pole of the Earth. It is the List of extreme points of the United States, southernmost point under ...
(U.S.) at the Geographic South Pole. It is jointly operated by scientists from
France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
and
Italy
Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
and regularly hosts
ESA scientists.
The station is also known as ''Concordia camp'', and previously as ''
Dome Charlie''.
History
The first research work at dôme C began during 1978. In 1982 the French first had the idea to build a permanent base at the
dôme.
In 1992, France built a new station on the Antarctic Plateau. The program was later joined by Italy in 1993.
In 1995, Pr. Jean Vernin from
University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis and Pr. Giorgio Dall'Oglio from
University of Rome performed the first scientific experience towards a site qualification at dôme C.
In 1996, a French-Italian team established a summer camp at dôme C. The two main objectives of the camp were the provision of logistical support for the
European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica (EPICA) and the construction of a permanent research station.
The new all-year facility, ''Concordia Station'', became operational in 2005. The first winterover began with a staff of 13 (eleven French and 2 Italians) in February 2005.
Winterovers
While the station has been in use for summer campaigns since December 1997, the first winterover (February to October) was only made in 2005. During this period, the station is inaccessible, requiring total autonomy.
First winter-over (DC01 – 2005)

The first winter began in mid-February 2005, with thirteen wintering (eleven French people and two Italians):
*Michel Munoz: station leader,
plumber
A plumber is a tradesperson who specializes in installing and maintaining systems used for potable (drinking) water, hot-water production, sewage and drainage in plumbing systems.
*Christophe Mozer: powerhouse chief
*Pascal Bordais: radio, electronics, computers
*Claire Le Calvez: technical chief
*Michel Galland: electrician
*Jean-Louis Duraffourg: chef
*Abdelkarim Agabi (Karim Agabi):
astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist in the field of astronomy who focuses on a specific question or field outside the scope of Earth. Astronomers observe astronomical objects, such as stars, planets, natural satellite, moons, comets and galaxy, galax ...
*Stéphane Beausire:
boilermaker
A boilermaker is a Tradesman, tradesperson who Metal fabrication, fabricates steels, iron, or copper into boilers and other large containers intended to hold hot gas or liquid, as well as maintains and repairs boilers and boiler systems.Bure ...
,
welder
A welder is a person or equipment that fuses materials together. The term welder refers to the operator, the machine is referred to as the welding power supply. The materials to be joined can be metals (such as steel, aluminum, brass, stainles ...
*Jean Elegoet: vehicle
mechanic
A mechanic is a skilled tradesperson who uses tools to build, maintain, or repair machinery, especially engines. Formerly, the term meant any member of the handicraft trades, but by the early 20th century, it had come to mean one who works w ...
*Jean-François Jurvilliers: multipurpose technician
*Guillaume Dargaud:
climatologist
Climatology (from Greek , ''klima'', "slope"; and , ''-logia'') or climate science is the scientific study of Earth's climate, typically defined as weather conditions averaged over a period of at least 30 years. Climate concerns the atmospheric ...
(under contract with the Italian
National Antarctic Research Program – PNRA)
*Roberto Dicasilati:
physician
A physician, medical practitioner (British English), medical doctor, or simply doctor is a health professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring health through the Medical education, study, Med ...
*Emanuele Salvietti:
glaciologist
In September 2005 the highest temperature was −48 °C, with an average in August of −60.2 °C and a record of −78.6 °C on 1 September.
At these temperatures, trips outside had to be performed with the utmost care. Those going outside travelled at least in pairs and were equipped with a radio, spare batteries and a full fleece suit, with only the eyes at times visible. Italian Glaciologist Emanuele Salvietti had to take snow samples every day one kilometre from the base. As he had to walk (because no vehicle operates at these temperatures), he built a full face mask, with only a pipe to breathe. The slightest mistake would lead to certain injury, as astronomer Agabi Karim explained: "Burns on the cheeks and eyelashes glued to the lens of the telescope," after exposure to the freezing cold.
Second winter-over (DC02 – 2006)
From February to November 2006. 10: 6 French, 4 Italian.
*Minh Ly Pham Minh: station leader, physician
*Eric Aristidi: astronomer
*Loïc Le Bechec: chef
*Shaun Deshommes: technical chief
*José Dos Santos: electrician
*Miguel Ravoux: plumber
*Michele Impara: computers
*Lucia Agnoletto: seismologist
*Omar Cerri: glaciologist
*Elyseo D'Eramo: mechanic
The record temperature for this winter was measured at −80 °C on 5 September 2006 at 2:37 ET was renewed several times.
Third winter-over (DC03 – 2007)
From February to November 2007. 14: 8 French, 6 Italian.
*François Jeanneaux: engineer
*Jean-Pierre Pillisio: plumber
*Carlos Marsal: chef
*Yvan Levy: technical chief
*Nicolas Le Parc: electrician
*Christophe Choley: mechanic
*Djamel Mékarnia: astronomer
*Benedict Cuisset: technical
*Maurizio Busetto: climatologist
*Federico Miliacca: computers and telecommunications
*Runa Briguglio: astronomer
*Giuseppe Soriani: surgeon
*Pietro di Felice: station leader, engineer
*Alessandro Iacomino: glaciologist
The average temperature was −65 °C and the minimum temperature recorded was −81.9 °C reached on 5 September.
Fourth winter-over (DC04 – 2008)
From 31 January 2008 to 8 November 2008. 13: 7 French, 6 Italian.
*Erick Bondoux: astronomer
*Laurent Bonnardot: biomedical
*Zalpha Challita: astronomer
*Sébastien Denamur: mechanic
*Laurent Fromont: electrician
*Patrick LeRoy: technical chief
*Jean-François Vanacker: station leader, radio
*Giorgio Deidda: chef
*Daniele Frosini: glaciologist
*Fabrizio Martinet: plumber
*Roberto Rainis: doctor
*Lucia Sabbatini: astrophysicist
*Riccardo Schioppo: climatologist
Fifth winter-over (DC05 – 2009)
From February 2009 to November 2009. 12: 8 French, 3 Italian, 1 British.
*Massimiliano Faiella: technical chief
*Domenico Fasano: chef
*Laura Genoni: glaciologist
*William Frinot: plumber
*Caroline Jullian: atmospheric chemistry
*Alexander Leluc: mechanic
*Eric Lotz: station leader, physician
*Denis Petermann: astronomer
*Cyprien Pouzenc: astronomer
*Eric Tragin: electrician
*Jonathan Zaccaria: radio, computer, science support
*Alex Salam: ESA biomedical research
Sixth winter-over (DC06 – 2010)
13: 6 French, 6 Italian, 1 Czech.
*Jean-François Vanacker: station leader
*Karim Agabi: astronomer
*Arthur Le Forestier: technical chief
*Christophe Rouy: mechanic
*Jean-Marie Moysan: plumber
*Sylvain Lafont: glaciologist
*Ales Rybka: ESA biomedical research
*Alessandro Bambini: electrician
*Boris Padovan: computer, telecommunications
*Daniele Karlicek: glaciologist
*Giorgio Deidda: chef
*Lorenzo Moggio: atmospheric chemistry
*Rosa Forgittoni: doctor
Seventh winter-over (DC07 – 2011)
14 people: 7 French, 6 Italian, 1 British.
*Andrea Cesana: station leader, doctor
*Alessandro Giusto: electrician
*Paolo Perfetti: computer, telecommunications
*Domenico Romano: astronomer, glaciologist
*Andrea Ballarini: chef
*Angelo Galeandro: meteorologist
*Eoin MacDonald: ESA biomedical research
*Djamel Mekarnia: astronomer
*Eric Aristidi: astronomer
*Sergeant Frederic: technical chief
*David Colin: mechanic
*Vivien Koutcheroff: plumber
*Ilann Bourgeois: atmospheric chemistry, glaciologist
*Pascal Robert: technician seismology, magnetism
Eighth winter-over (DC08 – 2012)
13 people: 7 French, 4 Italian, 1 Russian, 1 British.
* Erick Bondoux: station leader, electronic technician for science
* Barbara Grolla: nurse anesthetist
* Guillaume Bouchez: astronomer
* Stephane Calvo: technical chief
* Bruno Limouzy: mecanician
* Gérard Guérin: plumber
* Sebastien Aubin: glaciologist, atmospheric chemistry
* Alexander Kumar: Station physician and ESA biomedical research MD
* Alessandro Bambini: electrotechnician
* Roberto D'Amato: informatician, telecommunications
* Mattia Bonazza: glaciologist, atmospheric chemistry
* Giorgio Deidda: chef
* Igor Petenko: atmospheric science and climate
Ninth winter-over (DC09 – 2013)
15 people: 9 French, 5 Italian, 1 Greek.
*Anne-Marie Courant: station leader, physician
*Helene Faradji: astronomer
*Christophe Leroy Dos Santos: astronomer
*Yann Reinert: astronomer
*Jean Gabriel Coll: electrician
*Yannick Marin: technical chief
*Simon Reuze: mechanic
*Olivier Delanoë: Plumber
*Albane Barbero: glaciologist, atmospheric chemistry, meteorological maintenance
*Evangelos Kaimakamis: ESA biomedical research
*Bruno Epifania: computer, telecommunications
*Elio Padoan: glaciologist, atmospheric chemistry
*Luigi Vailati: chef
*Antonio Litterio: electronic technician for science
*Simonetta Montaguti: atmospheric science and climate
Tenth winter-over (DC10 – 2014)
13 people: 6 French, 5 Italian, 1 Russian, 1 Greek.
*Bruno Limouzy: Electrical motors
*Pierre Pejoine: Mechanic
*Julien Ribet: Electrotechnician
*Olivier Haye: Technical Chief, plumbing and heating
*Cecile Lenormant: Chemist
*Xavier Joffrin: Astronomy
*Giorgio Deidda: Chef
*Tindari Ceraolo: Physician
*Paride Legovini: Physicist,
Electronic technician for science
*Tommaso Nicosia: Computer, telecommunications
*Daniele Tavagnacco: Astrophysicist
*Adrianos Golemis: ESA biomedical research,
*Igor Petenko: Atmospheric science and climate
During the 2014 Antarctic winter Concordia was an active
amateur radio
Amateur radio, also known as ham radio, is the use of the radio frequency radio spectrum, spectrum for purposes of non-commercial exchange of messages, wireless experimentation, self-training, private recreation, radiosport, contesting, and emer ...
station: Paride Legovini operated from there on a weekly basis with
call sign
In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign (also known as a call name or call letters—and historically as a call signal—or abbreviated as a call) is a unique identifier for a transmitter station. A call sign can be formally as ...
IA/IZ3SUS.
The
HF radio equipment consists in a
Rohde & Schwarz
Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG ( , ) is a German multinational electronics group specializing in the fields of electronic test equipment, broadcast & media, cybersecurity, radiomonitoring and radiolocation, and radiocommunication. The company als ...
XK2100L transceiver with a 150W
RF output and a delta loop antenna located a few hundreds of meters away from the station.
The
analemma
In astronomy, an analemma (; ) is a diagram showing the position of the Sun in the sky as seen from a fixed location on Earth at the same Solar time#Mean solar time, mean solar time over the course of a year. The change of position is a result ...
(path that the sun follows in the sky if photographed at precisely the same time every week through the course of a year) was imaged for the first time ever in Antarctica by Adrianos Golemis during the 10th winterover mission at Concordia Station (2013–2014). The resulting composite exposure image was selected a
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) on 23 September 2015
Eleventh winter-over (DC11 – 2015)
From February 2015 to November 2015. 13 people: 6 French, 5 Italian, 1 British, 1 Swiss.
*Mario Salza: Station Leader, Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
*Antonietta Roveran: Physician
*Luca Ficara: Chef
*Giampietro Casasanta: Glaciology and Atmospheric Remote Sensing
*Lorenzo Moggio: Atmospheric physics
*Yannick Marin: Technical Manager and Electrical motors
*Roxanne Jacob: Glaciology and Atmospheric Chemistry
*Guillaume Poirot: Mechanic
*Benoit Laurent: Electronics for Science
*Benoit Joncheray: Plumbing and Heating Engineering Technician
*Rémi Puaud: Electrical Engineering Technician
*Markus Wildi: Astrophysics
*
Beth Healey: ESA Biomedical Research
Twelfth winter-over (DC12 – 2016)
Began 10 February 2016. 12: 5 Italian, 6 French, 1 Belgian.
*Vitale Stanzione: Station Leader, Glaciology
*Elvio Lazzarini: Medical Doctor
*Alessandro Fausto: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
*Luciano Milano: Electronics for Science
*Simonetta Montaguti: Atmospheric Science and Climate
*Bertrand Bonnefoy: Chef
*Henri van den Hove: Plumbing and Heating Engineering Technician
*Olivier Leloir: Technical Chief
*Gaetan Quere: Mechanic
*Nicole Hueber: Glaciology and Atmospheric Chemistry
*Floris van den Berg: ESA Biomedical Research MD
*Georges Karakasidis: Electrician
Thirteenth winter-over (DC13 – 2017)
Began 9 February 2017. 13: 5 French, 7 Italian, 1 Belgian Canadian.
*Simone Chicarella: Electronics for Science, Station Leader
*Andrea Tosti: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
*Aldo Clemenza: Medical Doctor
*Simone Marcolin: Chef
*Laura Caiazzo: Glaciology and Atmospheric Chemistry
*Yuri de Prà: Astronomy
*Alfonso Ferrone: Atmospheric Science and Climate
*Didier L'Hôte: Technical Chief
*Sébastien Jullien-Palletier: Electrician
*Alexis Robin: Plumbing and Heating Engineering Technician
*Pol Monfort: Mechanic
*Paul Serre: Chemistry
*Carole Dangoisse: ESA Biomedical Research MD
Fourteenth winter-over (DC14 – 2018)
Began 6 February 2018. 13: 5 French, 7 Italian, 1 Austrian.
* Moreno Baricevic: Electronics for Science
* Marco Buttu: Astronomy
* Filippo Cali' Quaglia: Atmospheric Science and Climate
* Mario Giorgioni: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
* Alberto Razeto: Medical Doctor
* Marco Smerilli: Chef
* Remi Bras: Electrician
* Coline Bouchayeur: Glaciology and Atmospheric Chemistry
* Andre Bourre: Technical Chief
* Florentin Camus: Plumbing and Heating Engineering Technician
* Jacques Rattel: Mechanic
* Cyprien Verseux: Glaciology and Atmospheric Chemistry, Station Leader
*
Carmen Possnig: ESA Biomedical Research MD
Fifteenth winter-over (DC15 – 2019)
Began 13 February 2019. 13: 5 French, 6 Italian, 1 Danish, 1 Australian.
* Nadja Albertsen: ESA Biomedical Research MD
* Damien Beloin: Mechanic
* Thibault Gillet: Electrician
* Bertrand Laine: Technical Chief
* Julien Le Goff: Plumbing and Heating Engineering Technician
* Julien Moyé: Glaciology and Atmospheric Chemistry
* Ivan Bruni: Astronomy
* Massimiliano Catricalà: Electronics for Science, Station Leader
* Giuditta Celli: Glaciology and Atmospheric Chemistry
* Gianluca Ghiselli: Medical Doctor
* Daniele Giambruno: Chef
* Alessandro Mancini: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
*
Meganne Louise Christian: Atmospheric Science and Climate
Sixteenth winter-over (DC16 – 2020)
Began on 7 February 2020. 12: 7 French, 4 Italian, 1 Dutch.
* Camille Bréant: Glaciology and Atmospheric Chemistry
* Elisa Calmon: Chef
* Sylvain Guesnier: Chief of the power plant
* Vivien Koutcheroff: Plumbing and Technical Chief
* Wenceslas Marie Sainte: Electronics for Science
* Inès Ollivier: Glaciology and Atmospheric Chemistry
* Bastien Prat: Electrician
* Andrea Ceinini: Mechanic
* Loredana Faraldi: Medical Doctor
* Luca Ianniello: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
* Alberto Salvati: Atmospheric Science and Climate, Station Leader
* Stijn Thoolen: ESA Biomedical Research MD
Seventeenth winter-over (DC17 – 2021)
Began 31 January 2021. 12: 5 French, 6 Italian, 1 British.
* Cédric Albert: Electrician
* Dennis Appere: Glaciology and Atmospheric Chemistry
* Charles Delgrange: Mechanic
* Quentin Perret: Boilermaker, Welder and Multipurpose Technician
* Jean-François Roques: Technical Chief
* Fabio Borgognoni: Glaciology and Atmospheric Chemistry
* Marco Buttu: Electronics for Science
* Rodolfo Canestrari: Atmospheric Science and Climate, Station Leader
* Giuseppina Canestrelli: Medical Doctor
* Simone Marcolin: Chef
* David Tosolini: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
* Nicholas Smith: ESA Biomedical Research MD
Eighteenth winter-over (DC18 – 2022)
Began 7 February 2022. 13: 6 French, 6 Italian, 1 Swedish.
* Massimiliano Catricalà: Station Leader, Electronics for Science
* Angelo Galeandro: Atmospheric Science and Climate
* Thomas Gasparetto: Astronomy
* Alessia Nicosia: Glaciology
* Thomas Antonio Massimo Pagano: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
* Marco Smerilli: Chef
* Fabien Farge: Medical Doctor
* Nicolas Girard: Electrician
* Stanislas Grabowski: Boilermaker, Welder and Multipurpose Technician
* Frederic Sergent: Technical Chief
* Pierre Supiot: Mechanic
* Julien Witwicky: Glaciology and Atmospheric Chemistry
* Hannes Hagson: ESA Biomedical Research MD
Nineteenth winter-over (DC19 – 2023)
Began 7 February 2023. 12: 6 French, 5 Italian, 1 German.
* Claude Blanc: Mechanic
* Rudy Bunel: Technical Chief
* Stéphane Fraize: Medical Doctor
* Vincent Morel: Electrotechnician
* Damien Pessieau: Plumbing and Heating Engineering Technician
* Damien Till: Glaciology and Atmospheric Chemistry
* Davide Carlucci: Station Leader, Electronics for Science
* Jacopo Lucini Paioni: Chef
* Domenico Mura: Astronomy
* Luca Rago: Glaciology
* Andrea Traverso: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
* Sascha Freigang: ESA Biomedical Research MD
Twentieth winter-over (DC20 – 2024)
Began 31 January 2024. 13: 7 French, 5 Italian, 1 Swiss.
* Marco Buttu: Electronic of Science
* Gabriele Carugati: Station Leader, Glaciologist, Atmosphere Chemistry
* Sergio Cosma: Chef
* Mario Lecca: Atmospheric Science and Climate
* Andrea Traverso: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
* Vincent Deloupy: Astronomer
* Fanny Larcher: Medical Doctor
* Julien Laurancy: Electrotechnician
* Quentin Lecoutey: Mechanic and Vehicles
* Manon Mastin: Glaciologist and Atmospheric Chemist
* Giovani Rosario: Plumbing and Heating Engineering
* Frederic Sergent: Technical Chief, Electric Central Mechanic
* Jessica Studer: ESA Biomedical Research MD
Twenty-first winter-over (DC21 – 2025)
From February. 13: 6 French, 6 Italian, 1 British.
* Clément Arrat: Atmosphere Chemistry
* Julien Castel: Mechanic
* Pierre Chene: Technical Chief, Electric Central Mechanic
* Valentin Jarnole: Plumber
* Julien Lacrampe: Electrotechnician
* Yves-Marie Lahaie: Medical Doctor
* Matteo Beltrame: Astronomer
* Davide Carlucci: Electronic of Science
* Erik Geletti: Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
* Simona Grimaldi: Station Leader, Glaciologist
* Thomas Pagano: Physics of the Atmosphere
* Laerte Picano: Chef
* Nina Purvis: ESA Biomedical Research MD
Beyond Epica-Oldest Ice
During February 2022 initial ice core extraction of the
Beyond Epica-Oldest Ice research activity was completed, located 34 km from the station.
Transportation

Most of the cargo is moved to Dome C by traverse (called raid) from
Dumont d'Urville Station
The Dumont d'Urville Station () is a French scientific station in Antarctica on Île des Pétrels, Géologie Archipelago, archipelago of Pointe-Géologie in Adélie Land. It is named after exploration, explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville, whose expe ...
, covering in 7 to 12 days depending on weather conditions. Station personnel and light cargo arrive by air, landing on a Skiway, using the
Twin Otters or
Basler BT-67 flying from DDU or
Zucchelli Station at .
Environment
Dome C is situated on top of the Antarctic Plateau. No animals or plants live at a distance of more than a few tens of kilometers from the
Southern Ocean
The Southern Ocean, also known as the Antarctic Ocean, comprises the southernmost waters of the world ocean, generally taken to be south of 60th parallel south, 60° S latitude and encircling Antarctica. With a size of , it is the seco ...
. However,
south polar skuas have been spotted overflying the station, 1,200 km away from their nearest food sources. It is believed that these birds have learned to cross the continent instead of circumnavigating it.
Human biology and medicine
Concordia Station shares many stressor characteristics similar to that of long-duration deep-space missions, in particular extreme isolation and confinement, and therefore serves as a useful analogue platform for research relevant to space medicine. During the winter, the crew are isolated from the outside world, having no transportation and limited communication for 9 months and live a prolonged period in complete darkness, at an altitude almost equivalent to 4000m at the equator. This creates physiological and psychological strains on the crew. Concordia station is particularly useful for the study of chronic hypobaric hypoxia, stress secondary to confinement and isolation, circadian rhythm and sleep disruption, individual and group psychology, telemedicine, and astrobiology. Concordia station has been proposed as one of the real-life Earth-based analogues for long-duration deep-space missions.
Glaciology
In the 1970s, Dome C was the site of
ice core
An ice core is a core sample that is typically removed from an ice sheet or a high mountain glacier
A glacier (; or ) is a persistent body of dense ice, a form of rock, that is constantly moving downhill under its own weight. A glacier ...
drilling by field teams of several nations.
In the 1990s, Dome C was chosen for deep ice core drilling by the European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica (EPICA). Drilling at Dome C began in 1996 and was completed on 21 December 2004, reaching a drilling depth of 3270.2 m, 5 m above bedrock. The age of the oldest recovered ice is estimated to be ca. 900,000 years.
Astronomy
Concordia Station has been identified as a suitable location for extremely accurate astronomical observations. The transparency of the Antarctic atmosphere permits the observation of stars even when the
sun
The Sun is the star at the centre of the Solar System. It is a massive, nearly perfect sphere of hot plasma, heated to incandescence by nuclear fusion reactions in its core, radiating the energy from its surface mainly as visible light a ...
is at an elevation angle of 38°. Other advantages include the very low
infrared
Infrared (IR; sometimes called infrared light) is electromagnetic radiation (EMR) with wavelengths longer than that of visible light but shorter than microwaves. The infrared spectral band begins with the waves that are just longer than those ...
sky emission, the high percentage of
cloud
In meteorology, a cloud is an aerosol consisting of a visible mass of miniature liquid droplets, frozen crystals, or other particles, suspended in the atmosphere of a planetary body or similar space. Water or various other chemicals may ...
-free time and the low
aerosol
An aerosol is a suspension (chemistry), suspension of fine solid particles or liquid Drop (liquid), droplets in air or another gas. Aerosols can be generated from natural or Human impact on the environment, human causes. The term ''aerosol'' co ...
and
dust
Dust is made of particle size, fine particles of solid matter. On Earth, it generally consists of particles in the atmosphere that come from various sources such as soil lifted by wind (an aeolian processes, aeolian process), Types of volcan ...
content of the
atmosphere
An atmosphere () is a layer of gases that envelop an astronomical object, held in place by the gravity of the object. A planet retains an atmosphere when the gravity is great and the temperature of the atmosphere is low. A stellar atmosph ...
.
The
median
The median of a set of numbers is the value separating the higher half from the lower half of a Sample (statistics), data sample, a statistical population, population, or a probability distribution. For a data set, it may be thought of as the “ ...
seeing measured with a DIMM Differential Image Motion Monitor
placed on top of an 8.5 m high tower is 1.3 ± 0.8
arcsecond
A minute of arc, arcminute (abbreviated as arcmin), arc minute, or minute arc, denoted by the symbol , is a unit of angular measurement equal to of a degree. Since one degree is of a turn, or complete rotation, one arcminute is of a tu ...
s.
This is significantly worse than most major observatory sites, but similar to other observatories in Antarctica. However, Lawrence ''et al''. considered other features of the site and concluded that "Dome C is the best ground-based site to develop a new astronomical observatory",
[ �]
FAQ by the authors
a conclusion made before whole-atmospheric seeing measurements had been made at Dome C.
Thanks to the Single Star Scidar SSS, Vernin, Chadid and Aristidi ''et al''.
[,
title = "",
journal = ,
keywords = ,
year = 2009,
month = jun,
volume = 500,
pages = ,
doi = ,
adsurl = ,
adsnote =
}] and Giordano, Vernin and Chadid ''et al''.
[,
title = "",
journal = ,
year = 2012,
month = may,
volume = 124,
pages = ,
doi = ,
adsurl = ,
adsnote =
}] finally demonstrated that most of the optical turbulence is concentrated within the first 30 m atmospheric level at Dome C. The rest of the atmosphere is very quiet with a
seeing of about 0.3-0.4
arcsecond
A minute of arc, arcminute (abbreviated as arcmin), arc minute, or minute arc, denoted by the symbol , is a unit of angular measurement equal to of a degree. Since one degree is of a turn, or complete rotation, one arcminute is of a tu ...
s, and the overall seeing is somewhat around 1.0 arcseconds.
Launched in 2007, PAIX, the first robotic multi-color Antarctica
Photometer
A photometer is an instrument that measures the strength of electromagnetic radiation in the range from ultraviolet to infrared and including the visible spectrum. Most photometers convert light into an electric current using a photoresistor, ...
gives a new insight to cope with unresolved stellar enigma and stellar oscillation challenges and offers a great
opportunity to benefit from an access to the best astronomical site on Earth –Dome C–. Indeed, Chadid, Vernin, Preston et al.
implement, for the first time from the ground, a new way to study the stellar
oscillations, pulsations and their evolutionary
properties with long uninterrupted and continuous precision observations over 150 days, and
without the regular interruptions imposed by the
Earth rotation. PAIX achieves astrophysical
UBVRI
__NOTOC__
The UBV photometric system (from ''Ultraviolet, Blue, Visual''), also called the Johnson system (or Johnson-Morgan system), is a photometric system usually employed for classifying stars according to their colors.
It was the first stan ...
bands
time-series
In mathematics, a time series is a series of data points indexed (or listed or graphed) in time order. Most commonly, a time series is a sequence taken at successive equally spaced points in time. Thus it is a sequence of discrete-time data. E ...
measurements of
stellar physics
Astrophysics is a science that employs the methods and principles of physics and chemistry in the study of astronomical objects and phenomena. As one of the founders of the discipline, James Keeler, said, astrophysics "seeks to ascertain the ...
fields,
challenging
photometry
Photometry can refer to:
* Photometry (optics), the science of measurement of visible light in terms of its perceived brightness to human vision
* Photometry (astronomy), the measurement of the flux or intensity of an astronomical object's electr ...
from
Space
Space is a three-dimensional continuum containing positions and directions. In classical physics, physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions. Modern physicists usually consider it, with time, to be part of a boundless ...
.
The Antarctic Search for Transiting ExoPlanets (ASTEP) programme is composed of two telescopes: a 10 cm refractor installed in 2008, and a 40 cm telescope installed in 2010 and upgraded in 2022.
Climate
The climate at Dome C where Concordia Station is located is frigid all year round, being one of the coldest places on Earth. It has a
polar ice cap climate
An ice cap climate is a polar climate where no mean monthly temperature exceeds . The climate generally covers areas at high altitudes and Polar regions of Earth, polar regions (60–90° north and south latitude), such as Antarctica and some of ...
(
Köppen Köppen is a German surname. Notable people with the surname include:
* Bernd Köppen (1951–2014), German pianist and composer
* Carl Köppen (1833-1907), German military advisor in Meiji era Japan
* Edlef Köppen (1893–1939), German author ...
''EF''), with maximums ranging from in December to in May, mean ranging from in December to in May and minimums ranging from in December to in May. The annual average air temperature is . The station has never recorded a temperature above freezing; the warmest temperature recorded was in January. Temperatures can fall below in winter, and the coldest recorded temperature was in August 2010; one of the coldest temperatures ever recorded on Earth.
Humidity is low and it is also very dry, with very little precipitation throughout the year.
Dome C does not experience the
katabatic winds typical for the coastal regions of Antarctica because of its elevated location and its relative distance from the edges of the Antarctic Plateau. Typical wind speed in winter is 2.8 m/s.
See also
*
List of research stations in Antarctica
*
List of Antarctic field camps
Many research stations in Antarctica support satellite field camps which are, in general, seasonal camps. The type of field camp can vary – some are permanent structures used during the annual Antarctic summer, whereas others are little more tha ...
*
List of airports in Antarctica
*
Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station
The Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station is a science and technology in the United States, United States scientific research station at the South Pole of the Earth. It is the List of extreme points of the United States, southernmost point under ...
*
Casey Station
Casey Station, commonly called Casey, is one of three permanent stations and research outposts in Antarctica managed by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). Casey lies on the northern side of the Bailey Peninsula (Antarctica), Bailey Peninsu ...
*
Concordia Subglacial Lake
*
Dome A also known as Dome Argus
*
Dome C
Dome C , also known as dôme Circe, Dome Charlie (US) or dôme Concordia, is located at Antarctica at an elevation of above sea level, on one of several Glacier morphology#Ice sheets, domes of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. Location dome C is on the A ...
also known as Dome Charlie or Dome Circe
*
Dome F also known as Dome Fuji
*
Dumont d'Urville Station
The Dumont d'Urville Station () is a French scientific station in Antarctica on Île des Pétrels, Géologie Archipelago, archipelago of Pointe-Géologie in Adélie Land. It is named after exploration, explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville, whose expe ...
*
EPICA
*
Ice core
An ice core is a core sample that is typically removed from an ice sheet or a high mountain glacier
A glacier (; or ) is a persistent body of dense ice, a form of rock, that is constantly moving downhill under its own weight. A glacier ...
*
Law Dome
*
Neumayer Station III
*
Vostok Station
*
Zucchelli Station
*
List of Mars analogs
References
https://www.ogimet.com/cgi-bin/gsynres?lang=en&ind=89625&ano=2025&mes=3&day=30&hora=7&min=0&ndays=30
External links
Official website Concordia StationOfficial website of the Italian Antarctic ProgrammeOfficial website IPEV Institut Polaire Français Paul Emile VictorIPEV Concordia Station
Chronicles from Concordia – winter over ESA blogAutomated Astrophysical Site-Testing International Observatory (AASTINO)*
blog by Guillaume Dargaud, ISAC (Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima)
*
2nd Winterover at Concordia Station (2006)blog by Eric Aristidi, LUAN (Laboratoire Universitaire d'Astrophysique de Nice)
*
5th Winterover at Concordia Station (2009) blog by Cyprien Pouzenc, Laboratoire Fizeau (Nice, ex-LUAN), Observatoire Sirene
COMNAP Antarctic FacilitiesCOMNAP Antarctic Facilities Map
{{Authority control
2005 establishments in Antarctica
Outposts of Antarctica
France and the Antarctic
Italy and the Antarctic
Human analog missions
Research institutes established in 2005