中国科学院南京天文光学技术研究所机构知识库

Since Chinese scientific expedition team first arrived Dome A in 10, Jan., 2005, meteorological data have been obtained from this highest point of the Antarctic Plateau. It is likely that Dome A can be the best site for ground-based astronomy. Chinese astronomy community, led by Chinese Center for Antarctic Astronomy, is part of an international effort to survey Dome A for astronomical observations, and has built 4 small telescopes (CSTAR) which have been installed at Dome A in 2008. We report here a more ambitious goal: three Antarctic Schmidt telescopes (AST3) with aperture 50cm each and the modified Schmidt system (about half shorter tube comparing with normal one) are being constructed, and will be installed for observation at Dome A in Jan., 2010. AST3 will be used for the discovery and exploration of astrophysical transients. This paper presents the technical configuration, design of these Schmidt telescopes, and study on technical challenges for telescope at such a special place with extreme environment on the earth.