China has marked a significant step forward in global space research and Antarctic astronomy with the launch of the Three Gorges Antarctic Eye, a 3.2-metre aperture radio and millimetre-wave telescope officially commissioned on April 3, 2025, at the Zhongshan Station in Antarctica.
The telescope is the result of a joint initiative by China Three Gorges University (CTGU) and Shanghai Normal University (SHNU), designed specifically for long-term operation in the extreme polar conditions of Earth’s southernmost continent.
The unveiling of the facility reflects China’s growing commitment to deep-space exploration, atmospheric science, and technological leadership in some of the world’s most challenging research environments.
A powerful new tool for star formation studies
The Three Gorges Antarctic Eye has already begun conducting scientific observations, including the study of neutral hydrogen and ammonia molecular spectral lines in the Milky Way galaxy. These particular wavelengths are critical in interstellar medium research, helping astronomers understand the density, temperature, and motion of interstellar gas clouds, which are the cradles of new stars.
“This telescope has broken through key technical bottlenecks in Antarctic observatory construction,” said Zhang Yi, associate professor at SHNU and a member of the Chinese Antarctic expedition team currently stationed on the continent.
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Zhang highlighted that the project would expand observational capabilities into the radio and low-frequency millimetre-wave spectrum, a region particularly valuable for cosmic microwave background detection, early universe research, and galactic structure mapping.
Antarctica: Earth’s ultimate observatory
The choice of Antarctica as the site for this cutting-edge telescope is no coincidence. The continent’s extremely cold, dry, and stable atmosphere, combined with its isolation from radio-frequency interference, makes it one of the best places on Earth for observing the cosmos at radio, infrared, and millimetre wavelengths.
However, building and operating sophisticated astronomical instruments in Antarctica is no small feat. The continent is the coldest and windiest on the planet, with sub-zero temperatures reaching as low as -80°C and hurricane-force katabatic winds sweeping across its ice-covered plains.
“Antarctica’s unique conditions provide a rare observational window for radio astronomy, but these same conditions pose enormous engineering challenges,” said Zeng Xiangyun, associate professor at CTGU.
Engineering a telescope for extreme conditions
Since 2023, CTGU and SHNU have worked jointly to develop technologies capable of surviving and functioning in Antarctica’s harsh environment. Over the past two years, research teams have focused on overcoming challenges such as temperature tolerance, wind resistance, and power stability in remote polar conditions.
The 3.2-metre dish is constructed using advanced composites and thermal shielding materials to ensure stable operation across the seasonal extremes. Every component had to be tested and modified to function reliably in the sub-zero environment.
“It’s not just about making the telescope work,” said Zeng. “It’s about making it last—and function consistently—through long Antarctic nights and severe weather. This was one of the most demanding design challenges our engineers have ever faced.”
Symbol of national innovation and scientific ambition
The successful deployment of the telescope is also being seen as a testament to China’s broader ambitions in science and innovation. According to He Weijun, Party Chief of CTGU, the Three Gorges Antarctic Eye project underscores the university’s growing influence in polar research instrumentation.
“This telescope showcases our university’s capabilities in cutting-edge scientific instrumentation,” He said. “It reflects the dedication of Chinese scientists to push technological boundaries and exemplifies the role that our universities can play in advancing national innovation goals.”
The project also serves as a symbol of the spirit of exploration and scientific patriotism driving China’s growing role in global astronomical research.
Contributions to global space science
As it transitions into stable long-term operation, the Three Gorges Antarctic Eye is expected to make significant contributions to international astrophysics, particularly in the realm of star formation, galactic evolution, and molecular cloud dynamics.
Astronomers across the world have long regarded Antarctica as an ideal, yet logistically difficult, location for deploying high-resolution observatories. With this successful deployment, China joins a small but elite group of nations capable of sustained astronomical research from the South Pole.
The data collected will be made available for collaboration with global scientific partners, potentially enhancing shared models of galactic structure, dark matter distribution, and interstellar turbulence.
Part of China’s broader Antarctic astronomy program
The Three Gorges Antarctic Eye builds on a series of previous initiatives by China in Antarctic astronomy, including the Antarctic Survey Telescopes (AST3) and other instruments housed at the Kunlun Station and Dome A.
These efforts are part of China’s decade-long strategy to leverage Antarctica’s pristine observational conditions for a broad range of scientific disciplines, from astrophysics and climate studies to geomagnetism and ice core analysis.
With the commissioning of the new telescope, China has taken a significant step in strengthening its position in international Antarctic science, and the country now boasts a comprehensive array of astronomical capabilities on the icy continent.
Looking ahead: future expeditions and research programs
With the telescope now operational, CTGU has announced plans to send additional researchers to Zhongshan Station to support on-site scientific missions, including data analysis, real-time calibration, and system diagnostics.
These expeditions will not only support the continued refinement of the telescope’s performance but also help build a pipeline of young Chinese astronomers and engineers with experience in polar operations.
Long-term goals for the program include the development of a next-generation submillimetre-wave telescope, capable of imaging farther and deeper into the universe than ever before from Antarctic soil.
“Now that we’ve succeeded in this phase, we’re looking ahead to what’s next,” said Zhang. “We aim to expand the observational power of Antarctica even further, combining larger apertures, new materials, and advanced detectors in future designs.”
Summary of specifications
- Name: Three Gorges Antarctic Eye
- Location: Zhongshan Station, Antarctica
- Developed by: China Three Gorges University (CTGU) and Shanghai Normal University (SHNU)
- Aperture size: 3.2 metres
- Wavelength range: Radio to low-frequency millimetre waves
- Primary focus: Neutral hydrogen and ammonia molecular spectral lines
- Purpose: Study interstellar gas dynamics and star formation in the Milky Way
- Launch date: April 3, 2025
A new era for Antarctic radio astronomy
The launch of the Three Gorges Antarctic Eye represents not just an advancement in telescope technology, but a reaffirmation of the importance of global scientific cooperation, interdisciplinary innovation, and pushing the frontiers of discovery—even in the most remote corners of the Earth.
“This is a landmark moment,” said Zeng. “And we are only beginning to uncover the possibilities.”
With the deployment now complete and data already streaming in, China’s Antarctic Eye is poised to become one of the most influential observatories in high-latitude astronomy, offering unparalleled views of the galaxy from Earth’s final frontier.
