Infrared and submillimetre observing conditions on the Antarctic Plateau

The Antarctic Plateau provides the best terrestrial sites for infrared (IR) and submillimetre (sub-mm) astronomy. In this paper we examine the relativ e importance of temperature, aerosol content and precipitable water vapour to determine which parameters have the greatest influence on atmospheric tr ansmission and sky brightness, We use the atmospheric modelling program MOD TRAN to model the observed sky spectrum at the South Pole from the near-IR to the sub-mm. We find that temperature and aerosol content determine the q uality of near-IR observing conditions, aerosol content is the determining factor in the mid-IR up to 20 mum. while at longer wavelengths, including t he sub-mm, it is the water vapour content that matters. Finding a location where aerosol levels are minimised is a key constraint in determining the o ptimum site on the Antarctic Plateau for an IR observatory.