Laboratory for Dark Matter and Space Astronomy--Purple Mountain Observatory

Key Laboratory of Dark Matter & Space Astronomy，CAS

The Key Laboratory of Dark Matter and Space Astronomy was founded at the end of 2010 with the support and authorization of the Chinese Academy of Sciences for promoting the development of space astronomy and technology, in accordance with the long-established preponderance in thisdiscipline of the space astronomy research branch in the Purple Mountain Observatory. Focusing on the key project, the acceleration, propagation, and radiation mechanism of the particles in ambient matter and fields, the laboratory carries out scientific researches mainly in the following four fields:

1. The detection and research on the dark matter particle: Detect and study the dark matter particle via space-born observations of high-energy gamma rays and electrons (109eV-1013eV).

2. The detection and research on the high-energy radiation of various celestial objects: Detect and study the high-energy radiation of various celestial objects via space-born observations in x-ray and gamma ray energy band (102eV-1013eV).

3. The detection and research on the solar high-energy radiation and activities: Study the acceleration, propagation, and radiation mechanism of the particles in solar active region combining space-born observations in x-ray and gamma ray energy band (102eV-1011eV) and ground based observations in optical and radio windows.

4. The detection and research on the planets and other objectsin solar system: Study the surface material distribution and the evolution history of planets and other objects in solar system via the observations of x-rays and gamma rays produced at planetary surfaces due to interaction with high-energy particles.

In recent years, the Key Laboratory of Dark Matter and Space Astronomy has made important progresses in many aspects, including promoting proposals of space missions of science and related payloads, solving certain key techniques, realizing space-born observations, and pursuing scientific researches in very frontier. Especially, the successful launch of the Dark Matter Explorer (DAMPE) made a breakthrough as the firstastronomical space mission of China, marking a giant leap in thefield of space science of our country.The success of DAMPE also demonstrates the original innovations achieved by the laboratory in the fields of space-born dark matter detection and space science techniques.

Solidly backed by the state and related government departments,the Key Laboratory of Dark Matter and Space Astronomyadheres to the innovative researches about the key science problem, the acceleration, propagation, and radiation mechanism of the particles in ambient matter and fields. Confronting the knowledge innovation, the science frontier, and the national demand, the laboratory aims to establish itself as a science institute of international standard that makes even more contribution to Chinese astronomy.

The focal points of the Key Laboratory of Dark Matter and Space Astronomy during the 13th five-year plane period are the scientific researches related to the DAMPE observations and the development of the Advance Space-Based Solar Observatory (ASO-S).