Center for Antarctic Astronomy
Center for Antarctic Astronomy (CCAA) was built in December 2006, and affiliated to Purple Mountain Observatory (PMO) Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) now. CCAA is a center jointly initiated by Chinese institutes and universities, including Purple Mountain Observatory, Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics Technology (NIAOT), Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC), National Astronomical Observatories (NAO), Nanjing University (NJU), and University of Science and Technology of China (USTC).CCAA is aimed at promotion of Chinese Antarctic astronomy observations, international cooperation, exploring new frontiers of Antarctic astronomy, and establishing dedicated teams for research and development, all on open, circulating, collaboration and competitive bases. In the recent 24th (2008-2009) Chinese Antarctic scientific investigation project, Dome A astronomy group successfully organized the international collaboration between China, the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. There are several astronomical instruments in Dome A now, such as CSTAR, PreHEAT, SNODAR, DASLE, and Gattini etc.CCAA is building itself in to a joint research center of Antarctic astronomy between CHinese Academy of Science, State Oceanic Administration, and the Ministry of Education.
Antarctic observatory locates in the mysterious and beautiful inland Antarctic, only 7.3 km from Dome Argus-the highest point of the Antarctic ice sheet, adjacent to Kunlun stood-the third Antarctic scientific station and the first inland station of China. It is at elevations 4087 km, 80°25′01″S, 77°06′58″E.
Antarctic observatory is the best astronomical observatory site all of the earth, almost year-round sunny day, all night in the winner without interference from sunlight, dust and vapour.
Antarctic observatory has finished Plan I: Automatic astronomical sighting telescope “Chinese Small Telescope ARra(CSTAR)” developed jointly by Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics & Technology, Purple Mountain Observatory and National Astronomical Observatory; the PLATeau Observatory(PLATO); one automatic weather station with 30m tower.
Antarctic observatory will install three 77mm Schmidt telescopes in Plan II and one 1.6m large telescope in Plan III.
