Antarctica? .... Why would they want to track the object from that location?
Maybe better visibility because of less interference from man made lights?
I don't know. I'm sure we have knowledgeable Freepers who could shed some light on this.
There has been more fighting in Iraq today. Prayers for our troops and their loved ones.
"British Beat Back Shiite Gunmen in South; U.S. Raids Radical Cleric's Stronghold in Baghdad"
NAJAF, Iraq (AP) - British soldiers beat back attacks by militiamen loyal to a radical Shiite cleric in southern cities Saturday, and U.S. forces stormed Muqtada al-Sadr's stronghold in Baghdad.
Al-Sadr's militia launched attacks in Basra and Amarah in an apparent attempt to open up new fronts after another cleric called for a jihad, or holy war, against British troops and promised rewards for the capture of coalition soldiers.
Sheik Abdul-Sattar al-Bahadli, al-Sadr's main representative in Basra, 340 miles southeast of Baghdad, fired up worshippers during Friday prayers with denunciations of U.S. abuse of prisoners and alleged rapes of Iraqi women.
Coalition forces responded to the violence with moves against officials in al-Sadr's movement, arresting his main representative in the southern city of Nasiriyah, Sheik Moayad al-Asadi.
U.S. troops backed by armored vehicles and helicopters also stormed al-Sadr's office in Baghdad's Shiite district of Sadr City, a militia stronghold, and detained three people, witnesses said.
The new U.S. commander of Abu Ghraib - the prison near Baghdad at the center of the abuse scandal - blamed the mistreatment of detainees on the previous leadership and vowed "on my honor" that it would not happen again.
"The alleged abuses .... appear to be due to leaders and soldiers not following the authorized policy and lack of leadership and supervision," Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Miller told journalists in Baghdad. "We will ensure that we follow our procedures. ... It is a matter of honor."
A U.S. military convoy was attacked on the main highway Saturday near Abu Ghraib, destroying an SUV that burst into flames. After the attack, children cheered around the burning car, shouting "Long live al-Sadr," until U.S. troops opened fire nearby. (snip)
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGANH8D70UD.html Getting to the TM thread a bit late - but regarding your comment about less manmade light in Antarctica for stellar viewing...
Used to live on the Big Island, and on the mountain of Mauna Loa (almost 14,000 feet) there are observatories, which are considered to be the best in the world, due to the pure clean air and virtually no light pollution.
Maybe the astronomers are in Antarctica because they're looking for something(s) that's coming from that direction?