A new French-Italian geomagnetic observatory in Dome C, Antarctica

Concordia is a scientific station located in the inner part of Antarctica (latitude 75° 06' S, longitude 123° 23' E, at about 3,200 m above sea level), about 950 km away from the coast. Near by the station a permanent Base is under construction and is expected to open in the year 2004. All this is the result of a join French Italian Antarctic Programs (IFRTP and PNRA respectively) effort to provide support to a growing number of scientific researches. The station is located 1.200 from Terra Nova Bay (Italy), 560 km away from Vostok Station (Russia), 1.100 Km from Dumont D'Urville (France) and Casey (Australia). During the 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 expeditions in Antarctica, some preliminary tests were carried out in order to evaluate the suitability of Dome C site for a permanent geomagnetic observatory. Two parallel data acquisition systems, each equipped with overhauser and flux-gate magnetometers were installed in two shelters at about 300 m from the Base camp. After some tests and checks, the site was considered a good site for geomagnetic investigations. The instrumentation is now in France and in Italy to prepare the instruments and the acquisition systems for the final installation that will take place during the 2004-2005 expedition.