PLATO science
PLATO observatory science comes under three categories, see the links to the individual instruments for more details:
Astronomical science
The CSTAR and Gattini instruments will be taking a large number of wide-field optical images of the sky to study transient and variable objects.
Site-testing science
PreHEAT, DASLE, Snodar, Nigel and the PLATO webcameras are primarily designed to make measurements that will inform a decision on placing future astronomical telescopes at Dome A. PreHEAT measures the sky opacity in the sub-mm spectral region, DASLE and Snodar help us understand the Earth's atmospheric turbulence in the first few tens of metres above the ice, and the webcameras will give statistics on cloud cover. In addition, CSTAR, Nigel and Gattini will provide valuable information on the photometric conditions at Dome A and the sky brightness in a number of wavelength bands.
Atmospheric science
DASLE and Snodar produce data on the atmospheric conditions in the boundary layer which is of interest to geophysical scientists. Nigel provides data on aurorae and night sky emission lines.