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China’s scientists edge closer to building South Pole observatory
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CHINA is near to building a South Pole Astronomical Observatory, according to four astronomers onboard the Chinese scientific icebreaker Xuelong or Snow Dragon, which left the port of Shanghai yesterday for China’s 33rd Antarctic Expedition.
The team includes an astronomer from the National Astronomical Observatories and three from the Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics and Technology.
China has sent astronomers to the region every year since 2007 to make preparations to build an astronomical observatory on Dome-A, the highest location in Antarctica, about 4,093 meters above sea level.
One of the astronomers on the trip is hoping that being far from home really does make the heart grow fonder.
“I am going to propose to my girlfriend while I am at the South Pole,” said Lu Haiping, 32, before he set off. He and his colleagues have embarked on a five-and-a-half-month trip to the South Pole.
The Chinese Antarctic Expedition first visited Dome-A in 2005. It is considered one of the best places on earth to set up an observatory as it stores climate information and atmospheric conditions for the entire globe.
China built its first Antarctic expedition station — Kunlun Station — in 2009, about 7.3 kilometers from Dome-A.
It was in this station that preparations for building the Dome-A observatory were carried out.
“On each Antarctic expedition, members have just 20 days to work at the Kunlun Station,” Lu said, adding that he and his colleagues have been commissioned to finish 100 projects during the latest expedition.
China has established an automated astronomical observation platform at Dome-A, and plans to build a high-elevation Antarctic Terahertz telescope, the world’s newest far-infrared observatory.
China’s astronomers have cooperated with colleagues from the United States, Russia and Germany to shine a light on the origin of cosmic objects, dark matter and extraterrestrial life.
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