The “Shanghai Astronomical Observatory Astrophysics Symposium 2012” was successfully held in Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO) between May 26 and May 29. More than 100 experts and students of different astrophysical areas from China, US, Germany, Netherlands, and Russia attended the conference.

　  This symposium is the first one of a series of scientific conferences to celebrate the 50th anniversary of SHAO. The topics covers extra-solar planet, black hole accretion disks, gamma-ray burst, black hole X-ray binaries, active galactic nuclei, galaxy formation and evolution, dark matter and dark energy, large scale structure of the universe, and cosmology. Through reviews by invited the experts in various fields, all participates were engaged in a wide range of communication and in-depth discussion to explore major issues which are still unresolved. The conference promotes the cooperation between SHAO and other units in China and abroad.

　  The director of SHAO, prof. Xiaoyu Hong, presented the opening remarks at the opening ceremony. During the four days of the meeting, 40 invited astrophysicists have performed wonderful reports. On the afternoon May 29, some participants visited the 65m radio telescope and astronomical museum. The conference is partially supported by “The CAS/SAFEA International Partnership Program for Creative Research Team”, lead by Prof. Yipeng Jing of SHAO.

Group Photo

Prof. Xiaoyu Hong　　　 　　　　　　Prof. Gerhard Boerner