The world’s clearest view of stars is seen from the highest point of the Antarctic ice sheet

Abstract

The characteristics of an astronomical site limits the performance of telescopes. “Seeing”, the blurring of stellar images by atmospheric turbulence, is a key factor. Our measurements confirm that Dome A, the highest point on the Antarctic plateau, has the best seeing conditions on the earth. A telescope at Dome A could observe the universe both clearer and deeper than other ground telescopes.