On November 3, reporters learned from the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences that as of October 2025, the Guo Shoujing Telescope (LAMOST) has released a cumulative total of 28.07 million spectra and 11.59 million sets of stellar parameters, ranking first in the world in terms of data volume. The research team explained that, through recent intensive research, the LAMOST team has transformed several key technologies from "reliant on imports" to "independently developed in China."
First, the domestic production of "special broadband optical fiber for astronomy" has been achieved. Optical fibers required for astronomical observations have extremely high requirements for spectral transmittance and stability. The LAMOST focal plane is equipped with 4,000 fiber positioning units, corresponding to 4,000 bundles of special broadband optical fibers. These fibers connect from the focal plane to the spectrometer, undertaking the crucial task of transmitting the telescope's optical signals. This design allows LAMOST to simultaneously acquire the spectra of 4,000 different celestial objects, which is key to realizing large-scale spectroscopic surveys. The LAMOST team also took the lead in collaborating with Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company, a leading domestic optical fiber manufacturer, to jointly develop domestically produced special broadband optical fiber for astronomy suitable for optical telescopes, using LAMOST as a pilot platform. Currently, this fiber has completed laboratory testing and preliminary on-site testing with the telescope, and is about to enter mass production and be put into use.
A domestically produced optical fiber sample with a protective sheath. (Image provided by the National Astronomical Observatories)
Secondly, the LAMOST fiber optic positioning and detection system improves fiber optic positioning accuracy. "Open-loop" and "closed-loop" are two types of detection systems used in large-scale fiber optic spectroscopic surveys. Compared to "open-loop," the "closed-loop" detection system improves the stability of fiber optic operation, further enhancing fiber optic positioning accuracy and telescope survey efficiency. Recently, the LAMOST fiber optic positioning and detection system achieved a technological breakthrough from "open-loop" to "closed-loop."
The research team explained that the new fiber optic positioning closed-loop detection system can locate over 97.7% of optical fibers within 0.4 arcseconds on average within 8 minutes and 44 seconds. This is equivalent to controlling the movement of an optical fiber unit from 20 meters away to within approximately two-thirds the thickness of a human hair (the diameter of a human hair is approximately 60 micrometers), significantly improving fiber optic positioning accuracy. Compared to the previous fiber optic positioning "open-loop" detection system, the new system's average efficiency is improved by approximately 20%.
Furthermore, the displacement actuator, a core component of active optics, has reached the international forefront. In LAMOST's pioneering novel active optics technology that combines splicing and deformation, the key technologies of core components such as wavefront sensors, force actuators, and mirror supports have been largely domestically produced. However, displacement actuators have previously relied on imports, facing problems such as reduced cost-effectiveness, exceeding their lifespan, and lagging maintenance.
To ensure the stable and safe operation of the telescope, the team has dedicated years to research and iterative development, establishing a displacement actuator development and testing platform and achieving the domestic production of displacement actuators. Its performance indicators meet the technical requirements of LAMOST and are at the forefront of international standards. This marks a significant advancement in the core technology of LAMOST active optics, further enhancing the telescope's survey performance and observation efficiency.
Meanwhile, significant progress has been made in key technologies such as the localization of LAMOST near-infrared spectrometer, tracking and active optics controller, and the prototype of MB sub-mirror support system.
According to the research team, LAMOST's series of technological breakthroughs have verified China's independent R&D capabilities in fields such as active optical systems and fiber optic positioning and control systems, driving the development of related industrial chains such as high-precision optical components, precision machinery manufacturing, and independent software algorithms in China, forming a virtuous cycle of "technological breakthroughs - industrial linkages - capability enhancement".
It is reported that more than 1,800 users from 300 institutions worldwide are currently using LAMOST data for scientific research, with a cumulative data download volume of approximately 170,000 GB and 3.73 million queries on the data release website. The telescope, as a major national scientific and technological infrastructure, is operated by the National Astronomical Observatories of China.