Astronomy and Space Science

Abstract

New astronomical instruments have broadened our horizon from all aspects, thereby enabling us to observe the universe with higher sensitivity and angular resolution, full sky survey and full time observations in all electromagnetic bands, including radio, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma-ray bands. Important astronomical windows opened up by cosmic ray and neutrino observations and gravitational wave telescopes being built make it possible to observe the universe completely. New types of astronomical objects and phenomena are discovered constantly with those new capabilities brought by these new astronomical telescopes and observation instruments. Based upon astronomical observations, large scale numerical simulations, data analysis and theoretical studies allow to better understand these new phenomena and to explore new laws of astronomy, astrophysics and fundamental physics. Therefore the development of modern astronomy is mainly made of a series of new astronomical discoveries and their quantitative understanding; in this process the capabilities brought by these new astronomical telescopes and instruments play imperative roles. It is therefore clear that astronomy is a discipline of science driven by observations, just like physics—a discipline of science moved by experiments.