Abstract
In recent years, China has launched and operated several space astronomy missions such as Wukong, POLAR, Insight-HXMT, GECAM, Einstein Probe (EP), and SVOM, embarking on a journey to explore the extreme universe. Nevertheless, numerous key scientific questions about the extreme universe remain to be solved. These include problems related to extreme explosions, extreme origin, extreme energy, extreme celestial objects, extreme gravity, extreme density, and extreme magnetic fields. In the next 5-15 years, we plan to address and solve these questions through several internationally leading large-scale space high-energy astrophysics missions. These include the "Gamma-ray Burst Polarimeter-II" (POLAR-2) and the "High Energy cosmic-Radiation Detection" (HERD) experiment, to be operated on China's space station; the enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry (eXTP) space observatory; and the "Chasing All Transients Constellation Hunters" (CATCH) plan, consisting of hundreds of micro-satellites. These projects are poised to bring revolutionary advancements to the in-depth exploration of the extreme universe.
This event is jointly organized by the Department of Physics and the Hong Kong Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics (HKIAA).
Anyone interested is welcome to attend.