SIAMOIS: Seismic Interferometer to Measure Oscillations in the Interior of Stars

Abstract

SIAMOIS is a project devoted to ground-based asteroseismology, involving an instrument to be installed at the Dome C Concordia station in Antarctica. SIAMOIS provides an asteroseismic programme that can follow the way currently opened by the space project CoRoT, with unique information on G and K type bright stars on the main sequence. In addition, spectrometric observations with SIAMOIS will be able to detect oscillation modes that cannot be analyzed in photometry: the Doppler data, less affected by the stellar activity noise, yield a more precise mode structure inversion. The SIAMOIS concept is based on Fourier Transform interferometry. Such a principle leads to a small instrument designed and developed for the harsh conditions in Antarctic. The instrument will be fully automatic, with no moving parts, and a very simple initial set up in Antarctic. The dedicated scientific programme will avoid the complications related to a versatile instrument. Data reduction will be performed in real time, and the transfer of the asteroseismic data to Europe will require only a modest bandwidth. SIAMOIS will observe with a dedicated small 40-cm telescope. Dome C appears to be the ideal place for ground-based asteroseismic observations. The unequalled weather conditions yield a duty cycle as high as 90% over 3 months, as was observed during the 2005 wintering. This high duty cycle, a crucial point for asteroseismology, is comparable to the best space-based observations. Long time series (up to 3 months) will be possible, thanks to the long duration of the polar night. SIAMOIS can be seen as one of the very first observational projects in astronomy at Dome C. Its scientific programme will take full advantage of the unique quality of this site, and will constitute a necessary first step in preparation of future more ambitious programmes requiring more sophisticated instrumentation and larger collectors.