A few years ago hope appeared for scientists as well as a breakthrough seen as the most significant happening in the science of terrestrial astronomy from the time that the telescope was invented. The revelation in question was the discovery of Dome C, one of the highest flat points found on the Antarctic. The land area, which is at 3,250 meters above sea level (3,250 meters is the thickness of the ice), turned out to be the best place to observe the cosmos from Earth. The conditions are comparable to those seen on the Earth's orbit.

The plateau is the most dry place on Earth with a smaller level of precipitation than can be found in the Sahara. An advantage of such a climate is the absence of steaming, which always absorbs particles of the electromagnetic wave coming from space. Additionally the absence of wind (2 meters per second), the absence of the southern lights effect, very low emission of reddening sky, low air pollution levels, especially low temperature, night lasting many months as well as the lack of tectonic movements, all create ideal conditions to carry out observations.

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Another advantage of Dome C is the fact that air turbulence, which I wrote about earlier, and which is responsible for deforming the final picture, are nearly non-existent here. The set unit used to measure atmospheric turbulence, called "seeing" is often at a low 0.07 arcsec which is the same as on the orbit of the Hubble telescope (eg. on Hawaii, where one of the largest telescopes on Earth can be found, the "seeing" is at a huge 0.7 seconds of arc). In 2003 the AASTINO (Automated Astronomical Site Testing International Observatory) robot was placed on Dome C. It is a test telescope, which facilitated the confirmation of the advantageous astronomical conditions on Dome C for observing stars. The pictures taken by AASTINO were three times sharper and six times lighter than the best photographs taken in various global observatories, including telescopes in Hawaii and Chile. The results of the analysis suggest that a breakthrough was made, due to which, we will be able to continue the search for Earth-like planets without the need to go beyond it. This also results in huge spending cuts because the need to send machinery into space is erased together with additinally unpredictable but necessery missions to repair damaged instruments. Dome C also has tried and tested methods of delivering building materials via the sea, road and air. There is already functioning yearlong Concordia station. In case of a sudden emergency in the telescope the damaged materials can be delivered within a few days.

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The Antarctic is a continent about which we do not know everything yet. It is a continent on which we are making 'baby steps' in modern architecture. Most of the buildings being created there are in many ways pioneering constructions which means that they are therefore experimental too. With global warming one cannot rule out that the Antarctic is a place for future colonization, which also means that it is an area of interest. The experimental conditions existent here are also ideal to test different technologies as well as procedures which could support future work on other planets. Dome C also allows the possibility to carry out analysis in conditions (also psychological) akin to those on space stations, or orbital stations. This is the main reason why investments being carried out in the area are of such great interest to space agencies such as ESA and NASA.

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Dome C is at a latitude of 75°06' due north and a longitude of 123°23' due east, 950 km from the Banzare coast at a height of 3,250 meters above sea level. There is no flora or fauna present on the plot. The neaest neifhbouring station is the Vostok station, which is 560 km away. The nearest sea front stations with a good connection to the sea are more that 1000km away. These include: Dumont d'Urville (French), Casey (Australian) some 1100km due north as well as Mario Zuchelli (Italian) 1200 km due east.

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​After seeing the huge opportunities which the polar shelf gives, the French polar institute (IPEV) and Italian institute (PNRA) have worked together in strict cooperation since 1993, in order to create a research centre on Dome C. The first research was carried out in 1997. They were limited however, to a few summer months, which were additionally used to build a yearlong station. The Concordia station, completed in 2005, is now operational for 12 months of the year. The building was designed for 16 scientists. Together with the neighbouring area which contains the summer cump they create the research station. One of the most important projects which is being carried out there is the European ice drilling program (EPICA), which allows for an analysis of the Earths climate as it was more than 800,000 years ago. Additionally astronomical (AASTINO), atmospheric, geo-magnetic, and seismic research is being carried out in the station. The whole summer cump can sleep 50 people in the summer period. The role of living quarters is usually played by containers heated with polyisocyanurate foam or by specially designed tents with a steel structure. The objests which are placed on skids do not directly come into contact with the ground and in case there is a larger accumulation of snow - they are easily hoisted out. The summer camp can also house the personnel from the year round station (in case it becomes damaged).

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There is an empty area which is reserved for future astronomical observation west of Concordia station. The plot is 1 km away from the Concordia buildings which is enough in terms of any light interference.

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A safety zone is located south of my prot, due to the crevasses found there.​