PMO focus on high-energy astrophysics, solar physics and space astronomical exploration technology; research on star formation through the universe and corresponding terahertz technology; artificial satellite orbital dynamics and probing methods; planetary science, ephemeral astronomy and deep space exploration; observational cosmology and galaxy formation.
PMO aims, in near future, to use Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) in-orbit to solve major scientific problems related to dark matter particles as well as the origin, propagation and acceleration mechanism of cosmic ray; develop payloads and scientific application system for the Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory (ASO-S) mission; develop technology related to Antarctic astronomy in order to construct “big science” facilities in Dome A; and improve continuously the system for observing objects and debris in space in order to support the nation’s aerospace programs.
PMO’s research is grouped into four divisions: Dark Matter and Space Astronomy, Antarctic Astronomy and Radio Astronomy, Applied Celestial Mechanics and Space Object & Debris, and Planetary Sciences and Deep Space Exploration. Each division consists of research groups, observing stations, and laboratories. PMO runs four CAS Key laboratories (Radio Astronomy, Space Object and Debris Observation, Dark Matter and Space Astronomy, Planetary Sciences, respectively) . PMO has established eight observing stations in Delingha, Ganyu, Xuyi, Honghe, Yaoan, Qingdao, and Antarctic Dome A, respectively. PMO is in charge of the in-orbit operation of DAMPE, and manages several major modern facilities, including a 13.7m millimeter-wave telescope, a 1m wild-field Near Earth Objects Survey Telescope, a CAS observation network for space object and debris, a solar telescope, and so on.
As of the end of 2020, PMO had 132 doctoral students, 128 master’s students and 23 postdoctoral researchers. Since 2016, PMO and University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) started a joint operation of the School of Astronomy and Space Science.
Fig. 1 The PMO and its stations. From left to right and top to bottom: Ganyu station, a bird view of PMO, Honghe station, Qingdao station, Xianlin campus, Qinghai station, Xuyi station, Yaoan station, Antarctic Dome A station.
Fig. 2 LOGO of PMO
Address: Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences,
10 Yuanhua Road, Qixia District，Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
Phone: +86-25-83332000
Fax: +86-25-83332091
Website: http://english.pmo.cas.cn
Email: pmoo@pmo.ac.cn
