ARENA: Antarctic Research, a European Network for Astronomy

随着越来越多的令人信服的证据表明，世界上最好的光学/红外天文学天文观测站位于澳大利亚南极地区的高原上，一场在那里建立第一个主要观测设施的竞赛正在进行中。 欧洲联盟最近资助了一个由20个主要研究机构组成的网络，以协调南极洲使能技术和天文方案的发展，以期建立一个所谓的“大天文台”。 澳大利亚参加这一网络确保了持续的技术交流，并建立了我们在机器人、恶劣环境工程和计算流体动力学方面的知识基础，同时创造了重要的新的天文学机会。

With compelling evidence now growing that the world's best astronomical observing sites for optical/infrared astronomy are located on the high plateau of Australia's Antarctic Territory, a race is underway to establish the first major observing facilities there. The European Union have recently funded a network of 20 leading research institutes to coordinate the development of enabling technologies and astronomical programs in Antarctica, with a view to constructing a so-called 'Great Observatory'. Australia's participation in this network ensures continued technology exchange and builds our knowledge base in robotics, harsh-environment engineering and computational fluid dynamics, while creating important new astronomical opportunities.