NRSCC director probes astronomy development of YNU

A symposium is held between NRSCC and YNU on Aug 21. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

Wang Qi'an, director of the National Remote Sensing Center of China (NRSCC), expressed his appreciation for Yunnan University's participation in SKA (Square Kilometre Array) and encouraged YNU to carry out international cooperation in the future during his visit on Aug 21.

Led by Wang, the delegation of the NRSCC, which is also the SKA China Office, learned more about the radio astronomy research of YNU and its participation in SKA.

Zhao Qihua, vice president of YNU, welcomed the visit of Wang and the delegation at a symposium, as well as briefly introduced the history of YNU and its construction in recent years. Zhao said that astronomy is one of the five disciplines of YNU's "Double First Class" construction. He also expressed his hope that the subject will develop rapidly under the guidance and support of the NRSCC.

Wang introduced the history and latest development of the SKA project. SKA is the largest radio astronomy telescope ever built and it is another major international scientific project that China has participated in since the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) program.

According to Wang, China has set up SKA special projects and will successively launch research projects in various directions, striving to gradually expand the domestic radio astronomy power during the project implementation process and play an increasingly important leading role in SKA.

Teachers from the School of Physics and Astronomy also reported on YNU's participation in research on pulsars and cosmic magnetic fields.

Wang said that he was impressed by YNU's participation in SKA and expressed his hope that the university will play an important role in the international SKA science plan.