After three years of striving efforts, SHNU teachers and students from College of Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering(CMME) developed a LOFT (Low-frequency Radio Telescope) of 3 meter calibre and implemented trial research on neutral hydrogen in the Galaxy. This is included in the 39th Chinese scientific expedition of South Pole.
Based on the rigorous conditions of South Pole, SHNU teachers from CMME upgraded the telescope in terms of the observation modes, integrate time, data storage, delivery and pre-processing. The newly-equipped telescope was then transported to Zhongshan Station in Antarctica by Snow Dragon after two months of campus experiments in Shanghai.
After over one month of successful observation at Zhongshan Station in the early 2023, the SHNU researchers succeeded in detecting spectral features emitted from neutral hydrogen at Galaxy Center of Antarctica and its neighbouring area, as well as local magnetic environment information. It is expected that the telescope could meet challenges from more exacting over-wintering period observation.
Besides, on an elevation of 4,903 meters at the culmination of ice-cave A in Antarctica, SHNU researchers accomplished with great success in implementing the independently-developed sub-millimeter wave equipment.
It was supported by NSFC, STCSM(Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality) and 39th South Pole Science Expedition Team.
