Recently, the 40th Chinese Antarctic Scientific Expedition Team has completed field scientific research at Kunlun Station in Antarctica, and some team members have returned to China.
According to the National Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, two team members were dispatched to maintain and update the energy communication platform and three sets of site monitoring equipment on-site. They also conducted maintenance and debugging of the Antarctic infrared binocular telescope, obtaining for the first time near-infrared J and H dual-band observation images. Additionally, they initiated low-frequency radio astronomical observations in the Antarctic interior for the first time.
The team members are working on the telescope tower. Image courtesy of the National Astronomical Observatory.
The monitoring equipment at this site includes the Kunlun Seeing Monitor (KL-DIMM), the Kunlun Layered Atmospheric Weather Station (KLAWS-2G), and the Kunlun Cloud Aurora Monitor (KLCAM). Currently, all site monitoring equipment is functioning normally.
Developed by the National Astronomical Observatory over many years, the Kunlun Station's monitoring equipment operates continuously and unmanned in the extreme Antarctic environment. Data is processed automatically in real-time, and the equipment has evolved into highly reliable and intelligent astronomical instruments. Accumulating data over many years, they have laid the foundation for a comprehensive evaluation of the astronomical site conditions at Kunlun Station.
Two redundant KLCAM images taken at Kunlun Station (2024-02-27). Image provided by the National Astronomical Observatory.
The Antarctic Infrared Binocular Telescope (AIRBT), a collaborative effort between the National Astronomical Observatory and Sun Yat-sen University, is the first near-infrared telescope at Kunlun Station. Installed by the 39th Chinese Antarctic Research Expedition team last year, it has accumulated one year of sky brightness data in the near-infrared H-band, which has been retrieved by expedition members.
The maintenance this time adjusted the optimal focal length and repaired the J-band telescope. With these adjustments, both bands can simultaneously observe fainter celestial bodies. This not only allows for a more precise determination of the site conditions for the near-infrared sky background at Kunlun Station but also enables simultaneous temporal astronomical studies in near-infrared dual colors.
The on-site Antarctic Infrared Binocular Telescope (AIRBT) and J and H band images during the polar day. The telescope has a diameter of 15 cm and a field of view of 1.2 degrees × 1 degree. Images provided by the National Observatory.
During this research expedition, the National Observatory conducted a series of low-frequency radio astronomy experiments along the inland route from Zhongshan Station to Kunlun Station. It marked the first comprehensive measurement of the low-frequency electromagnetic environment along the route, covering over 80 points within 1260 kilometers from the inland departure base to Kunlun Station. This monitoring of the low-frequency radio electromagnetic environment serves as preparatory work for future radio observations regarding site measurements.
Simultaneously, at a distance of 1050 kilometers from Zhongshan Station, the All-sky Spectrum Analyzer (AAS) for Cosmic Dawn was successfully installed and continues long-term observations at the location. This device is the first internationally to be implemented on the ice cap specifically for studying Cosmic Dawn/reionization period research. It will aid in deciphering information regarding early cosmic evolution.
The All Sky Spectrum (AAS) Analyzer for Cosmic Dawn. Image provided by the National Astronomical Observatory.
This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the research projects funded by the National Astronomical Observatory, and the discipline construction project of Sun Yat-sen University.
Additionally, the development of Antarctic astronomy has received support from the Polar Research Office of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Chinese Antarctic Research Center, as well as assistance from all members of the Kunlun Station team.
