From June 5th to 8th, 2014, the third Antarctic Survey Telescope (AST3) International Conference, co-hosted by the Chinese Antarctic astronomy centre, the Purple Mountain Observatory and the Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics & Technology (NIAOT) was held in Nanjing. The scientists and engineers from NIAOT who designed and constructed AST3 attended the conference. During the conference, the experts visited NIAOT, including Prof. Micheal Ashley (University of New South Wales), Prof. Jon Lawrence and Rong Zheng (the Australian Astronomical Observatory), Pronf. Jean-Christophe Hamilton (Université Paris Diderot), Roger Franzen, Mike Petkovic and Dr. Francis Bennet (Australian National University) and Dr. Samuel Richards (The University of Sydney). Accompanied by Prof. Yuan Xiangyan and her colleagues, the experts visited the mirror laboratory, exoplanet detection laboratory, spectrograph laboratory and Antarctic low-temperature laboratory. The researchers in NIAOT introduced some important research projects and achievements, and discussed with the visitors in-depth. The experts from the Australian Astronomical Observatory were very interested in some technologies developing in NIAOT. On June 9th and 10th, Prof. Michael Ashley, Nicolas Bingham, Kasey Boggs working together with the researchers from NIAOT tested the CCD camera, CCD cooling system and the telescope control software of AST3. This visitation ensured the relevant institutions and the experts knowing more about NIAOT, and built a connection for further interaction and friendship.    |
