Shanghai Astronomical Observatory Astrophysics Colloquium

Title：In-Depth Exploration of the Extreme Universe

Speaker:Zhang Shuang-Nan (IHEP)

Time：3:00 pm June 12th (Thursday)

Tencent Meeting：42915400486 password: 6360

Location: Lecture Hall, 3rd floor

Abstract：

In recent years, China has launched and operated several space astronomy missions such as Wukong, POLAR, Insight-HXMT, GECAM, Einstein Probe (EP), and SVOM, embarking on a journey to explore the extreme universe. Nevertheless, numerous key scientific questions about the extreme universe remain to be solved. These include problems related to extreme explosions, extreme origin, extreme energy, extreme celestial objects, extreme gravity, extreme density, and extreme magnetic fields. In the next 5-15 years, we plan to address and solve these questions through several internationally leading large-scale space high-energy astrophysics missions. These include the "Gamma-ray Burst Polarimeter-II" (POLAR-2) and the "High Energy cosmic-Radiation Detection" (HERD) experiment, to be operated on China's space station; the enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry (eXTP) space observatory; and the "Chasing All Transients Constellation Hunters" (CATCH) plan, consisting of hundreds of micro-satellites. These projects are poised to bring revolutionary advancements to the in-depth exploration of the extreme universe.

CV：

Zhang Shuang-Nan, Professor at the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Selected for the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (NSFC), appointed as a Changjiang Distinguished Professor by the Ministry of Education, and recognized by the National Overseas High-level Talent Program, among other honors. Recipient of the Zhao Jiuzhang Outstanding Young and Middle-aged Scientist Award, CAS Outstanding Science and Technology Achievement Prize, National Science and Technology Progress Award, National Defense Science and Technology Innovation Award, and Beijing Natural Science Award. Has published over 500 papers with citations exceeding 24,000. Proposed and successfully promoted multiple space science projects. Serves as the PI for space missions including Insight-HXMT astronomical satellite, the Tiangong-2 Gamma-Ray Polarization Detection project (POLAR) and its follow-on project POLAR-2, the eXTP space X-ray observatory, and the High Energy cosmic-Radiation Detection (HERD) experiment on the China Space Station.