HKU Sets Up New Space Research Center In China

The new laboratory will focus on the fields of astronomy, earth science and planetary sciences.

AsianScientist (Oct. 24, 2018) – The Laboratory for Space Research (LSR) of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has invested HK$10 million (~US$1.3 million) to establish a new LSR at the HKU Zhejiang Institute of Research Innovation (HKU-ZIRI) in the Lin’an district of Hangzhou, China.

The new laboratory will allow HKU to participate in important space science projects such as the proposed HKU No.1 satellite, planned for launch in 2019.

The satellite will use novel X-ray technology to look for evidence of mysterious dark matter, allowing scientists to study hot gas in rich galaxy clusters, investigate comets in the solar system and explore the interaction of solar wind with the earth’s magnetosphere. The scope of the satellite’s mission is highly interdisciplinary, combining the fields of astronomy, earth science and planetary sciences.

Additionally, the new LSR will jointly fund two postdoctoral fellowship positions with the KAVLI institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics at Peking University, China, and the Space and Astrophysics group at Nanjing University, China.

“This exciting development will help turbo charge our collaborations and opportunities for HK based scientists with top space and astrophysics groups in mainland China,” said Professor Quentin Parker, acting director of LSR.

Parker is also an adjunct professor at Zhejiang University, which hosts a microsatellite research group that will offer practical support to set up the LSR at HKU-ZIRI.

“[With this new initiative], we are well placed to emerge over the coming years as a true force in space and planetary science in Hong Kong, mainland China and the world,” said Parker.


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Source: University of Hong Kong.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

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