Chinese Journal of Polar Research ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (1): 1-20.DOI: 10.13679/j.jdyj.20250052

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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

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