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Resolution adopted by the XXI General Assembly of the International
Astronomical Union (IAU), Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 1991:
Encouraging International Development of Antarctic Astronomy
The International Astronomical Union,
recognising:
1. the potential for making some important classes of astronomical
observations from Antarctica that are not possible from elsewhere
on the Earth's surface, particularly at the high inland sites
with their extremely dry, cold and tenuous atmosphere, and
2. the unique opportunities Antarctica offers for establishing
truly international bases for scientific cooperation,
and noting that:
1. technological advances, particularly in infrared detectors,
are greatly widening the scope for exploiting the astronomical
merits of Antarctica,
2. a Working Group of the ISCU Scientific Committee on Antarctic
Research has formally recommended* serious international consideration
be given to participation in designing, building and operating
a new station in the highest part of the inland plateau,
3. there is widespread concern to ensure any development in
Antarctica is compatible with preservation of the natural environment,
4. planning in some nations for new astronomical instrumentation
in Antarctica has greatly increased over the last few years, and
5. international links in these plans are still not strong,
urges:
National Committees for Astronomy and National Antarctic Agencies
to support detailed studies of the observational qualities of
Antarctic sites with the immediate aim of quantifying the scientific
returns to be expected, and indicating the optimum site and instruments
for an international observatory and resolves:
to establish a Working Group to encourage international cooperation
in planning and establishing any new Antarctic astronomical facilities.
* Recommendation 6 of the Atmospheric Sciences Working Group (now
divided into two groups: Solar, Terrestrial and Astrophysical Research,
and Physics and Chemistry of the Atmosphere) at the biennial meeting
in 1990 of the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research.
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