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arXiv · 2509.13983

Scientific Objectives of the Xue-shan-mu-chang 15-meter Submillimeter Telescope

XSMT Project Collaboration Group·Yiping Ao·Jin Chang·Zhiwei Chen·Xiangqun Cui·Kaiyi Du·Fujun Du·Yan Gong·Zhanwen Han·Gregory Herczeg·Luis C. Ho·Jie Hu·Yipeng Jing·Sihan Jiao·Binggang Ju·Jing Li·Xiaohu Li·Xiangdong Li·Lingrui Lin·Zhenhui Lin·Daizhong Liu·Dong Liu·Guoxi Liu·Zheng Lou·Dengrong Lu·Ruiqing Mao·Wei Miao·Yuan Qian·Keping Qiu·Zhiqiang Shen·Yong Shi·Shengcai Shi·Chenggang Shu·Jixian Sun·Xiaohui Sun·Yichen Sun·Junzhi Wang·Ke Wang·Na Wang·Ran Wang·Tao Wang·Jingwen Wu·Xiangping Wu·Xuefeng Wu·Di Xiao·Qijun Yao·Yong Yao·Wen Zhang·Xuguo Zhang·Zhiyu Zhang·Yuanpeng Zheng
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Abstract

Submillimeter astronomy is poised to revolutionize our understanding of the Universe by revealing cosmic phenomena hidden from optical and near-infrared observations, particularly those associated with interstellar dust, molecular gas, and star formation. The Xue-shan-mu-chang 15-meter submillimeter telescope (XSMT-15m), to be constructed at a premier high-altitude site (4813 m) in Qinghai, China, marks a major milestone for Chinese astronomy, establishing the China mainland's first independently developed, world-class submillimeter facility. Equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, XSMT-15m will address a diverse range of frontier scientific questions spanning extragalactic astronomy, Galactic structure, time-domain astrophysics, and astrochemistry. In synergy with current and forthcoming observatories, XSMT-15m will illuminate the formation and evolution of galaxies, unravel the physical and chemical processes shaping the interstellar medium, and explore transient phenomena in the submillimeter regime. These capabilities will advance our understanding across extragalactic astronomy, Galactic ecology, astrochemistry, and time-domain astrophysics, inaugurating a new era for submillimeter research in China and the northern hemisphere.

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XSMT Project Collaboration Group, Yiping Ao, Jin Chang, Zhiwei Chen, Xiangqun Cui, Kaiyi Du, Fujun Du, Yan Gong, Zhanwen Han, Gregory Herczeg, Luis C. Ho, Jie Hu, Yipeng Jing, Sihan Jiao, Binggang Ju, Jing Li, Xiaohu Li, Xiangdong Li, Lingrui Lin, Zhenhui Lin, Daizhong Liu, Dong Liu, Guoxi Liu, Zheng Lou, Dengrong Lu, Ruiqing Mao, Wei Miao, Yuan Qian, Keping Qiu, Zhiqiang Shen, Yong Shi, Shengcai Shi, Chenggang Shu, Jixian Sun, Xiaohui Sun, Yichen Sun, Junzhi Wang, Ke Wang, Na Wang, Ran Wang, Tao Wang, Jingwen Wu, Xiangping Wu, Xuefeng Wu, Di Xiao, Qijun Yao, Yong Yao, Wen Zhang, Xuguo Zhang, Zhiyu Zhang, Yuanpeng Zheng. 2025-09-17. Scientific Objectives of the Xue-shan-mu-chang 15-meter Submillimeter Telescope. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11433-025-2801-6

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