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Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), was established in 1962 following the amalgamation of the former Xu Jiahui and Sheshan observatories, which were founded by the French Mission Catholique in 1872 and 1900, respectively. Both came under the Chinese government jurisdiction in 1950.
A 40cm double astrograph was built in 1900 on top of Sheshan hill, located 40km to the west of Shanghai downtown which was the largest telescope in East Asia at that time. It is one of a few telescopes in the world that observed Halley's comet both in 1910 and 1986. In the 1980s, SHAO built a 25m radio telescope, used as a station for the VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry) network; a 1.56m optical telescope; and a 60cm satellite laser-ranging system. These three facilities are still in frequent usage today for various research in the field of astrophysics, astrometry, geodynamics, satellite positioning.
In 1998, SHAO became one of the first institutions selected to implement the Pilot Program of CAS Knowledge Innovation Project. Since then, SHAO has established several new research programs both in basic and applied sciences, such as the MPA-CAS partner groups, Key Lab in Galaxies and Cosmology of CAS, Asia-Pacific Space Geodynamics Program (APSG) and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Space Navigation and Position Techniques. SHAO also has a variety of Guest Programs which attract accomplished scientists from all over the world. The first director of the SHAO was Professor Han LI who served from 1962 to 1981. His successor, Professor Shuhua YE held the office until 1993. During 1993-2003, Professor Junliang ZHAO directed the SHAO, and later succeeded by Professor Xinhao LIAO for 2 years as a deputy director. The present director, Professor Xiaoyu HONG took office in 2005.
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