Astronomers set to observe stars from Arctic

Researchers from the University of Toronto are heading to the High Arctic to set up an astronomical observatory near Eureka, Nunavut, on Ellesmere Island.

The researchers, who will be the first to set up an observatory in the remote region, say the area has the best sky-gazing conditions in the world.

The skies are clear, theres little pollution or cloud cover and its constantly dark during the winter months. All these combine to make the spot an astronomers dream.

The team will set up at a research laboratory which is already built about 10 kilometres outside of Eureka.

The University of Toronto scientists have been examining the area for the past five years. In January, a team will install a super-sensitive digital camera on the roof of the research building. They hope the camera will be able to take photos of things the world has never seen before, such as new planets or exploding stars or supernovas.

"And then anything else in the field of view of the camera, because we're watching all the time," said Raymond Carlberg, a professor and researcher at the University of Toronto.

Its a scientific first because until now, it has not been practical to set up the expensive equipment needed for the project so far north. Technological advances have now made it possible.

"You can get this equipment working and then you can take it up there, and once it is functioning properly in the cold you can just let it sit there and make measurements all winter long," said Carlberg.

Carlberg hopes this is just the beginning. In the winter of 2013, the researchers hope to install a large telescope at the station to survey the sky.

"We hope at some future stage, once we know more about the site, that we'll make a proposal for building a telescope someplace between three metres across and 10 metres across ... we're very excited about that possibility because it will be the first international-quality telescope on Canadian soil," said Carlberg.

This would make it a world-class observatory site in one of the most remote places in the world.