2 nd ARENA Conference: The Astrophysical Science Cases at Dome C H. Zinnecker, N. Epchtein and H. Rauer (eds) EAS Publications Series, 33 (2008) 123–129 www.eas.org 3D-EXPLORATION OF THE UNIVERSE BY A WIDE-FIELD IMAGING FTS AT HIGH SPECTRAL RESOLUTION J.-P. Maillard 1 and F. Boulanger 2 Abstract. In a first part the paper reviews some of the major Spitzer legacy imaging surveys to show the quantity of data available, and the subsequent need for spectroscopic follow-up surveys on equivalent wide fields. They are required for many science cases, as giant star forming regions, young planetary nebulea, the Galactic Centre, nearby galaxies, distant galaxy clusters. This capability of wide, integral field spectroscopy, missing in all the existing and planned astronomical fa- cilities, thus, appears among the most pertinent choice for the future of astronomy at Dome C. For the instrumental solution, a flexibility in the choice of spectral resolution and spectral domain on a broad infrared range is desirable to be able to undertake a large variety of study, on extragalactic and galactic fields as well. This capability can be only offered by an Imaging FTS. It fully benefits from the low ther- mal background emission of Dome C, particularly in the 1.8 to 5.5 μm range, and reach an optimum sensitivity by imaging emission lines. In a difficult site as Dome C, a dedicated, medium-size telescope would be the most effective way of exploiting such an instrument. 1 Introduction The 2nd ARENA conference being devoted to the examination of the best scientific cases which can take full advantage of the unique properties of Dome C on the Antarctic Plateau, it is important to analyse first the current scientific context in which these topics are discussed. Knowing the difficult logistics to operate the site, any new project for Antarctica must establish its relevance with regard to the powerful existing and planned facilities on the ground and in space. This exercice is alsolutely required as the condition to define the robust scientific niches which 1 Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris, CNRS et Univ. Pierre et Marie Curie, 98bis Blvd, Arago, 75014 Paris, France; e-mail: maillard@iap.fr 2 Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale, CNRS & Universit´ e Paris-Sud, Centre Universitaire d’Orsay, Bˆat. 120, 121, 91405 Orsay, France; e-mail: francois.boulanger@ias.u-psud.fr c  EAS, EDP Sciences 2008 DOI: 10.1051/eas:0833016 Article published by EDP Sciences