Recently, the 33rd Chinese Antarctic Research Expedition team triumphantly returned to homeland. On 20th April, 4 team members of Antarctic Inland Astronomical Expedition told the reporter that the AST3-2 (Antarctic Survey Telescope) is running well after the upgradation and maintenance. Now the 2017 survey observation session is in progress.

The 33rdChinese Antarctic Research Expedition team triumphant returned. On 20th April, 4 team members of Antarctic Inland Astronomical Expedition told the reporter that the AST3-2 (Antarctic Survey Telescope) already been upgraded is running well after maintenance and testing. Now the new annual observation is in progress.

It was told that the most important task of this astronomical expedition was to upgrade and maintain the telescope AST3-2 which had been set up at the Antarctic Kunlun Station. The team finished not only the troubleshooting, but also setting up omnidirectional image surveillance system, active defrosting system and snow-proof device. Other works such as retrieving the data of the last year’s observation, upgrading the temperature monitoring system and control software also fulfilled. After 20 days hard working at Kunlun Station, all the expected goals have been successfully achieved. According to the latest monitoring data, AST3-2 is in good condition and running quite well.

It was told that the most important mission of the astronomical expedition was to maintain and upgrade the telescope AST3-2 which had been set up at the Antarctic Kunlun Station. The team has done not only the troubleshooting, but also setting up omnidirectional image surveillance system, active defrosting system and snow-proof device. Other works such as retrieving the data of the last year’s operation, upgrading the temperature monitoring system and control softwarealso have been done.After 20 days hard working at Kunlun Station, all the expected goals have been successfully accomplished. According to the latest monitoring data, AST3-2 is in good condition and running well.

AST3-2 is the second Chinese Antarctic Survey Telescope set up at Kunlun Station. The telescope owns 500 mm effective aperture and is the largest visible telescope in Antarctic. It operates in an unmanned, fully automatic control mode, and could do observation toward different scientific targets.

AST3-2 is one of the two Antarctic Survey Telescopes, which were set up at Kunlun Station. Its effective aperture is 500mm, and it is the largest telescope in Antarctic. It is unmanned, fully automatic controlled andcould be operated according different scientific goals.

 ‘The Antarctic Survey Telescopes are the pathfinders for the Chinese Antarctic astronomical mission. Their observation data, working status are the valuable experiences for developing larger aperture Antarctic telescope in the future.’ said Haiping Lu, associate professor of Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics & Technology. Now AST3-2 is more ‘intelligent’ and ‘stronger’ under the extreme environment.

“The Antarctic Survey Telescopes are the pathfinders for the Chinese antarctic astronomical cause. The observation data, status are the valuable experiences for the later development of larger aperture telescope.” said Lu Haiping, associate professor of Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics & Tech. Now AST3-2 is more ‘intelligent’ and ‘stronger’ under the extreme environment.

For example, setting up the omnidirectional image surveillance system, said Haiping Lu, would helps the operators in China to be the ‘clairvoyants’ who would monitor the status of the crucial parts in real time. The upgraded mirror heating system would not only be more intelligently to prevent the frosting, but also defrost much quickly.

For example,setting up the omnidirectional image surveillance system, said Lu Haiping, that helps the operators to be the ‘clairvoyants’ and to real-time monitor the status of the key parts. The upgraded mirror heating system would not only be more intelligently to prevent the frosting, but also defrost quickly.

In addition, the key parts of the first telescope AST3-1 were disassembled and brought back to China for maintance.

In addition, key parts of the telescope AST3-1 were disassembled and taken back home to maintain.

Xiangyan Yuan, the Antarctic Survey Telescope project leader, told the reporter that, except the two Antarctic Survey Telescopes, the other astronomical observation equipments in serial are under developing. At present, the third Antarctic Survey Telescope just finished its construction. The low temperature tests have been done for its mechanical and control system. The optical tests and test observations are on the way. This telescope is expected to expand Chinese Antarctic astronomical observation from the visible band to the infrared band. In the future, a 2.5m aperture Kunlun dark universe survey telescope and a 5m aperture THz telescope will be set up on the Dome A, Antarctic.

Yuan Xiangyan, the Antarctic Survey Telescope project leader told the reporter that, except the two Antarctic Survey Telescopes, other follow-up astronomical observation equipments are being developed. At present, the third Antarctic Survey Telescope is assembly completed, the low temperature tests have been done, optical tests and test observations are about to be done. This telescope is expected to expand Chinese Antarctic astronomical observation from the visible band to the infrared band. In the future, a 2.5maperture Kunlun dark universe survey telescope and a 5m aperture THz telescope will be set up on Dome A, Antarctic.