极地研究 ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (1): 1-20.DOI: 10.13679/j.jdyj.20250052

所属学科:极区空间物理学

• 研究论文 • 上一篇    

中国南极中山站天文观测系统

纪拓1, 姜鹏2, 杨臣威1, 李正阳1,2,李晓燕2, 江海3程昊文3张毅4周宏岩1潘翔1周星宇1 胡泽骏1王哲超1李运2陈超2,丛迦南2张尧2杨一桥2   

  1. 1中国极地研究中心(中国极地研究所), 上海 200136; 
    2中国科学院南京天文光学技术研究所, 江苏 南京 210042; 
    3中国科学院国家天文台, 北京 100101; 
    4上海师范大学数理学院, 上海 200234

  • 收稿日期:2025-09-03 修回日期:2026-01-23 出版日期:2026-03-31 发布日期:2026-04-27
  • 通讯作者: 纪拓
  • 基金资助:
    空间碎片专项科研项目资助

A multi-functional astronomical observation system at China’s Antarctic Zhongshan Station

JI Tuo1, JIANG Peng1, YANG Chenwei1, LI Zhengyang1,2, LI Xiaoyan2, JIANG Hai3, CHENG Haowen3, ZHANG Yi4, ZHOU Hongyan1, PAN Xiang1, ZHOU Xingyu1, HU Zejun1, WANG Zhechao1, LI Yun2, CHEN Chao2, CONG Jianan2, ZHANG Yao2, YANG Yiqiao2   

  1. 1Polar Research Institute of China, Shanghai 200136, China;
    2Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210042, China;
    3National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;
    4Mathematics & Science College, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
  • Received:2025-09-03 Revised:2026-01-23 Online:2026-03-31 Published:2026-04-27

摘要:

我国南极天文观测以位于南极内陆冰盖最高点冰穹A的昆仑站为起点, 已在此部署了一系列光学红外巡天望远镜, 并在系外行星搜寻等领域取得重要进展。为拓展观测维度、充分利用南极不同台址的独特优势, 我国近年来逐步在位于海岸区域的中山站布局光学天文观测能力。本文介绍了在第38—41次中国南极考察期间, 于中山站成功构建的一套多功能天文观测系统, 包括一组由4台150 mm口径望远镜构成的宽视场测光阵列、1台310 mm口径快速跟踪望远镜以及配套的观测平台与自动化圆顶。越冬运行期间, 开展了观测精度标定、探测频次统计、极限星等验证及小行星观测等实验。实测表明, 该系统具备对暗弱目标的高灵敏度探测能力, 并能利用高纬度连续观测窗口实现对同一目标的高频次监测。该系统的建成与常态化运行, 标志着我国在南极具备昆仑站深场观测与中山站高频次、宽视场观测相结合的双站协同观测能力, 为时域天文学、近地天体监测等前沿研究提供了新的实验平台。

关键词: 南极, 中山站, 天文观测系统, 宽视场望远镜, 时域天文学, 近地天体

Abstract:

China’s Antarctic astronomical endeavors began at Kunlun Station, located at Dome A—the highest point of the Antarctic ice sheet—where survey telescopes such as CSTAR and AST3 have been deployed, achieving significant progress in fields such as exoplanet detection. To expand observational capabilities and leverage the unique advantages of different Antarctic sites, China has in recent years gradually developed optical astronomical facilities at Zhongshan Station, a coastal station. This paper presents a multi-functional astronomical observation system successfully constructed at Zhongshan Station during the 38th to 41st Chinese Antarctic Research Expeditions. The system comprises a wide-field photometric array of four 150 mm aperture telescopes, a 310 mm aperture rapid-tracking telescope, along with supporting automated observation platforms and a dome. During overwintering operation, a series of experiments—including accuracy calibration, detection frequency statistics, limiting magnitude verification, joint observations with domestic stations, and asteroid monitoring—were conducted. Field tests demonstrate that the system possesses high sensitivity for detecting faint targets and can achieve high-cadence monitoring of the same object by utilizing the continuous observation window available at high latitudes. The completion and routine operation of this system mark the establishment of a dual-station cooperative observation capacity in Antarctica, combining the deep-sky capabilities of Kunlun Station with the high-cadence, wide-field monitoring at Zhongshan Station. It provides a new experimental platform for frontier research in time-domain astronomy, near earth object surveillance, and related fields.

Key words: Antarctica, Zhongshan Station, astronomical observation system, wide-field telescope, time-domain astronomy, near earth objects