Adair Lane (Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory)
AST/RO is a 1.7-meter diameter submillimeter-wave telescope in operation at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station since January 1995. The scientific program is currently focussed on spectroscopic observations of atomic and molecular clouds in the Milky Way and nearby galaxies. The telescope is open to the astronomical community on a proposal basis. Since travel to the South Pole is not possible during Austral winter (Feb.-Oct.), observing programs on AST/RO are communicated over the Internet and performed by a winterover scientist in residence at South Pole. This talk will describe some of the benefits and hazards of conducting astronomical observations in a remote and hostile environment. An overview will be given of logistics issues, the telescope control language, observing protocols, data transfer and reduction, and science results.