pdf SCAR XXXVII Paper 14: Astronomy and Astrophysics from Antarctica Expert Group (AAA)

XXXVII SCAR Delegates Meeting
5-7 September 2022, Goa, India

SCAR XXXVII Paper 14: Astronomy and Astrophysics from Antarctica Expert Group (AAA)

Agenda Item: 4.3.1
Person Responsible: Tony Travouillon
Report Authors: Tony Travouillon and Adriana María Gulisano

Summary

We organized in virtual format the 6th Workshop of the SCAR Astronomy & Astrophysics from Antarctica (AAA) a semi-yearly conference dedicated to Astronomy in Antarctica. This meeting aimed to bring together all the key players in Antarctic astronomy to conclude the 2015 – 2018 Implementation Plan and to coordinate future strategies and collaborations. In 2022, our involvement in the International Astronomical Union remains and we will be able to represent AAA with a booth presence. We also provided our endorsement and support to other related scientific workshop such as the 2021 Girls and Women in science day and the Icecube science workshop in January 2021.

SCAR open science session on Astronomy and upper atmosphere research. The session was allocated three time slots which were over subscribed (talks limited to 10mn including questions). Attendance averaging 50 participants at any given time. The session was a forum to learn about the science potential of these regions, and techniques for conducting research in extreme environments including ground-based and balloon borne experiments. There were talks from early career scientists and nations who have recently joined SCAR and IASC as associate members, along with presentations from more established researchers to provide opportunities for mentoring and building collaborations to leverage the investment in scientific infrastructure in the Polar Regions. Talks involving polar research in Astronomy and Astrophysics were also presented.

AAA was actively represented at the IAU general assembly including a dedicated booth to inform the community about the role of SCAR and AAA. Antarctic astronomy projects taking place in Antarctica were highlighted in all forums. Participation in outreach activities organized by venue.