Purple Mountain Observatory

Purple Mountain Observatory

Purple Mountain Observatory
Organization	Chinese Academy of Sciences
Code	330
Location	Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China
Coordinates	32°04′N 118°49′E / 32.067°N 118.817°ECoordinates: 32°04′N 118°49′E / 32.067°N 118.817°E
Altitude	267 m (876 ft)
Established	1934
Website	www.pmo.ac.cn/
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The Purple Mountain Observatory (Chinese: 紫金山天文台; pinyin: Zĭjīnshān Tiānwéntái), also known as Zijinshan Astronomical Observatory, is an astronomical observatory located on the Purple Mountain in Nanjing, China. ^{[lower-alpha 1]} The longtime director of the observatory from 1950 to 1984 was Chinese astronomer Zhang Yuzhe (张钰哲, 1902–1986, also known as Y. C. Chang).

By the late 1980s, increasing light pollution in Nanjing meant Purple Mountain was no longer viable as a working observatory. It has since shifted its focus to public education, with much of the actual scientific work being carried out in its five branch observatories located at Qinghai (in Delingha), Ganyu, Xuyi, Honghe (in Jiamusi), and Qingdao.

The Minor Planet Center credits the observatory with the discovery of 149 minor planets between 1955 and 1983, while the observatory's PMO NEO Survey Program is credited with a total of 532 discoveries between 2006 and 2013.^[1]

Discoveries

The observatory discovered the periodic comets 60P/Tsuchinshan and 62P/Tsuchinshan, as well as the non-periodic C/1977 V1 (Tsuchinshan), also known as Comet 1977 X. Many asteroids were also discovered, including the Trojan asteroids 2223 Sarpedon, 2260 Neoptolemus, 2363 Cebriones, 2456 Palamedes, and the eponymous 3494 Purple Mountain.

Near-Earth Object Survey

The Chinese Near-Earth Object Survey (CNEOS), based at Xuyi Observation Station,^[2] started observations in 2006. It uses a 1:04=1:20=1:80 m Schmidt telescope equipped with a 4K by 4K CCD detector with the drift-scanning function.^[3]

As of August 2012, the program has observed 149,971 asteroids, found 1,279 new provisional designation asteroids, and cataloged 251 numbered asteroids including five Jupiter Trojans, two Hildas, and one Phocaea. The program has also observed the position of 824 near-Earth objects (NEOs) and discovered four new ones: the Apollo asteroid (285339) 1999 JR6, and the three Amor asteroids (410195) 2007 RT147, (388567) 2007 QX14, and 2009 MZ₆, still unnumbered as of 2016.^[4][5]

List of discovered minor planets (1955–1983)

A total of 149 minor planets were discovered by the Purple Mountain Observatory between 1955 and 1983.^[1]

Discoveries by the Purple Mountain Observatory (I)[1] 1125 China October 30, 1957 1802 Zhang Heng October 9, 1964 1888 Zu Chong-Zhi November 9, 1964 1972 Yi Xing November 9, 1964 2012 Guo Shou-Jing October 9, 1964 2027 Shen Guo November 9, 1964 2045 Peking October 8, 1964 2077 Kiangsu December 18, 1974 2078 Nanking January 12, 1975 2085 Henan December 20, 1965 2162 Anhui January 30, 1966 2169 Taiwan November 9, 1964 2184 Fujian October 9, 1964 2185 Guangdong November 20, 1965 2197 Shanghai December 30, 1965 2209 Tianjin October 28, 1978 2215 Sichuan November 12, 1964 2223 Sarpedon October 4, 1977 2230 Yunnan October 29, 1978 2255 Qinghai November 3, 1977 2260 Neoptolemus November 26, 1975 2263 Shaanxi October 30, 1978 2336 Xinjiang November 26, 1975 2344 Xizang September 27, 1979 2355 Nei Monggol October 30, 1978 2363 Cebriones October 4, 1977 2380 Heilongjiang September 18, 1965 2387 Xi'an March 17, 1975 2398 Jilin October 24, 1965 2425 Shenzhen March 17, 1975 2456 Palamedes January 30, 1966 2503 Liaoning October 16, 1965 2505 Hebei October 31, 1975 2510 Shandong October 10, 1979 2514 Taiyuan October 8, 1964 2515 Gansu October 9, 1964 2539 Ningxia October 8, 1964 2547 Hubei October 9, 1964 2592 Hunan January 30, 1966 2617 Jiangxi November 26, 1975 2631 Zhejiang October 7, 1980 2632 Guizhou November 6, 1980 2655 Guangxi December 14, 1974 2693 Yan'an November 3, 1977 2719 Suzhou September 22, 1965 2729 Urumqi October 18, 1979 2743 Chengdu November 21, 1965 2752 Wu Chien-Shiung September 20, 1965 2778 Tangshan December 14, 1979 2789 Foshan December 6, 1956

Discoveries by the Purple Mountain Observatory (II)[1] 2790 Needham October 19, 1965 2851 Harbin October 30, 1978 2886 Tinkaping December 20, 1965 2899 Runrun Shaw October 8, 1964 2903 Zhuhai October 23, 1981 2963 Chen Jiageng November 9, 1964 3011 Chongqing November 26, 1978 3014 Huangsushu October 11, 1979 3024 Hainan October 23, 1981 3028 Zhangguoxi October 9, 1978 3048 Guangzhou October 8, 1964 3051 Nantong December 19, 1974 3088 Jinxiuzhonghua October 24, 1981 3089 Oujianquan December 3, 1981 3136 Anshan November 18, 1981 3139 Shantou November 11, 1980 3171 Wangshouguan November 19, 1979 3187 Dalian October 10, 1977 3206 Wuhan November 13, 1980 3221 Changshi December 2, 1981 3239 Meizhou October 29, 1978 3241 Yeshuhua November 28, 1978 3297 Hong Kong November 26, 1978 3335 Quanzhou January 1, 1966 3340 Yinhai October 12, 1979 3388 Tsanghinchi December 21, 1981 3405 Daiwensai October 30, 1964 3421 Yangchenning November 26, 1975 3443 Leetsungdao September 26, 1979 3462 Zhouguangzhao October 25, 1981 3463 Kaokuen December 3, 1981 3476 Dongguan October 28, 1978 3494 Purple Mountain December 7, 1980 3502 Huangpu October 9, 1964 3509 Sanshui October 28, 1978 3513 Quqinyue October 16, 1965 3542 Tanjiazhen October 9, 1964 3543 Ningbo November 11, 1964 3556 Lixiaohua October 30, 1964 3560 Chenqian September 3, 1980 3570 Wuyeesun December 14, 1979 3609 Liloketai November 13, 1980 3611 Dabu December 20, 1981 3613 Kunlun November 10, 1982 3643 Tienchanglin October 29, 1978 3650 Kunming October 30, 1978 3678 Mongmanwai January 20, 1966 3704 Gaoshiqi December 20, 1981 3729 Yangzhou November 1, 1983 3746 Heyuan October 8, 1964

Discoveries by the Purple Mountain Observatory (III)[1] 3763 Qianxuesen October 14, 1980 3812 Lidaksum January 11, 1965 3844 Lujiaxi January 30, 1966 3901 Nanjingdaxue April 7, 1958 3960 Chaliubieju January 20, 1955 4047 Chang'E October 8, 1964 4073 Ruianzhongxue October 23, 1981 4245 Nairc October 29, 1981 4273 Dunhuang October 29, 1978 4360 Xuyi October 9, 1964 4431 Holeungholee November 28, 1978 4562 Poleungkuk October 21, 1979 4566 Chaokuangpiu November 27, 1981 4651 Wongkwancheng October 31, 1957 4730 Xingmingzhou December 7, 1980 4913 Wangxuan September 20, 1965 4925 Zhoushan December 3, 1981 4988 Chushuho November 6, 1980 5013 Suzhousanzhong November 9, 1964 5045 Hoyin October 29, 1978 5198 Fongyunwah January 16, 1975 5217 Chaozhou February 13, 1966 (5267) 1966 CF February 13, 1966 5389 Choikaiyau October 29, 1981 5390 Huichiming December 19, 1981 (5537) 1964 TA2 October 9, 1964 5538 Luichewoo October 9, 1964 5539 Limporyen October 16, 1965 5709 Tamyeunleung October 12, 1977 5892 Milesdavis December 23, 1981 (6283) 1980 VX1 November 6, 1980 (6430) 1964 UP October 30, 1964 (7920) 1981 XM2 December 3, 1981 8126 Chanwainam January 20, 1966 8256 Shenzhou October 25, 1981 (8981) 1964 YJ December 31, 1964 8992 Magnanimity October 14, 1980 9512 Feijunlong February 13, 1966 9517 Niehaisheng November 3, 1977 (9710) 1964 VN1 November 9, 1964 (10017) 1978 UP2 October 30, 1978 (10687) 1980 XX December 7, 1980 (11439) 1974 XW December 14, 1974 (12181) 1964 VL1 November 9, 1964 (15677) 1980 TZ5 October 14, 1980 (16350) 1964 VZ2 November 11, 1964 23408 Beijingaoyun October 12, 1977

List of discoveries by the PMO NEO Survey Program 2006–2013

A total of 532 minor planets were discovered by the observatory's PMO NEO Survey Program from 2006 to 2013.^[1]

Discoveries by the PMO NEO Survey (selection)[1]
171448 Guchaohao	11 September 2007
175633 Yaoan	9 October 2007
185535 Gangda	28 November 2007
185538 Fangcheng	14 December 2007
185640 Sunyisui	1 March 2008
187707 Nandaxianlin	2 March 2008
187709 Fengduan	3 March 2008
188973 Siufaiwing	3 March 2008
192178 Lijieshou	3 October 2007
199947 Qaidam	16 April 2007
199953 Mingnaiben	18 April 2007
200002 Hehe	6 May 2007
200003 Aokeda	19 May 2007
202784 Gangkeda	29 February 2008
204836 Xiexiaosi	16 August 2007
204839 Suzhouyuanlin	16 August 2007
207681 Caiqiao	16 August 2007
210210 Songjian	16 August 2007

Image gallery

• 
  Gate of the Purple Mountain Observatory

References

1. As of 2016, the Minor Planet Center lists 532 discovered bodies by the PMO NEO Survey Program between 2006 and 2013. However, the MPC lists another 3 discoveries by the PMO Neo Survey Program for 2007. Minor Planet Center – Minor Planet Discoverers

1. "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 24 February 2016. Retrieved March 2016. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
2. "Xuyi Observation Station, Purple Mountain Observatory". Purple Mountain Observatory. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
3. Zhao, Haibin; et al. "The new NEO survey project - Chinese Near Earth Object Survey (CNEOS)" (PDF). Lunar and Planetary Institute: Asteroids, Comets, Meteors (2008 conference). Retrieved 26 February 2015.
4. "Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs) – A Chronology of Milestones – Page 2 (see Oct 2, 2006)". IAU (International Astronomical Union). Retrieved 26 February 2015.
5. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2009 MZ6)" (2009-08-15 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved March 2016. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)

External links

• Purple Mountain Observatory website (English) (Chinese)