Chinese astronomers at the final frontier
Source: Xinhua |
August 22, 2012, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA is to launch several space projects, including a hard X-ray telescope for black hole studies, between 2014 and 2016, according to a senior Chinese astronomer.
Su Dingqiang, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and former president of the Chinese Astronomical Society, revealed some details regarding the hard X-ray modulation telescope, China's first space telescope, at the opening ceremony of the International Astronomical Union's 28th General Assembly in Beijing yesterday.
Hard X-rays originate mostly from regions close to black holes and have high penetrative power, making them important tools for studying physical processes in extreme conditions, such as high matter density and high energy density.
Su said China will develop another satellite, the dark matter particle explorer, to help detect high-energy electrons and gamma rays, as well as a telescope, to study the solar magnetic field and a Sino-French joint mission to study gamma ray bursts.
Su said Chinese scientists are also planning to establish an Antarctic astronomical observatory.
Cui Xiangqun, an academic at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and president of the Chinese Astronomical Society, said a lot of work had been done to gain experience for the construction of an observatory in the Antarctic.
An Antarctic Survey Telescope was installed there at the beginning of the year and another AST will be installed in 2013, said Cui.
Cui was optimistic about the Antarctic facility. "It has drier air, better visibility and fewer background disturbances," she said.
The conference is the first of its size to be held in China.
Robert Williams, IAU president, said: "China's technology has advanced markedly, and some of its buildings are really world-class. The fact that we are meeting here is an indication that China has emerged in a short period of time to be competitive on the world stage in the science of astronomy."
Su Dingqiang, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and former president of the Chinese Astronomical Society, revealed some details regarding the hard X-ray modulation telescope, China's first space telescope, at the opening ceremony of the International Astronomical Union's 28th General Assembly in Beijing yesterday.
Hard X-rays originate mostly from regions close to black holes and have high penetrative power, making them important tools for studying physical processes in extreme conditions, such as high matter density and high energy density.
Su said China will develop another satellite, the dark matter particle explorer, to help detect high-energy electrons and gamma rays, as well as a telescope, to study the solar magnetic field and a Sino-French joint mission to study gamma ray bursts.
Su said Chinese scientists are also planning to establish an Antarctic astronomical observatory.
Cui Xiangqun, an academic at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and president of the Chinese Astronomical Society, said a lot of work had been done to gain experience for the construction of an observatory in the Antarctic.
An Antarctic Survey Telescope was installed there at the beginning of the year and another AST will be installed in 2013, said Cui.
Cui was optimistic about the Antarctic facility. "It has drier air, better visibility and fewer background disturbances," she said.
The conference is the first of its size to be held in China.
Robert Williams, IAU president, said: "China's technology has advanced markedly, and some of its buildings are really world-class. The fact that we are meeting here is an indication that China has emerged in a short period of time to be competitive on the world stage in the science of astronomy."
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