Shanghai Astronomical Observatory

The Astronomical Observatory Shanghai ( SHAO ) is an important astronomical research institution in China.

Its history dates back to the 19th century, on foundations of the French Catholic mission. This operation in 1900 on Mount Sheshan, about 30 km west of Shanghai, the largest of its time observatory in East Asia. The facilities were nationalized after the revolution in 1950 and 1962 combined to Shanghai Astronomical Observatory. From 1951 to 1981, was the central timer for China. It belongs to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and today operates in Sheshan ( see Article coordinates) among others, a 25 - meter radio telescope, an optical telescope with a 1.56 meter large mirror, and a 60 -cm telescope laser. The headquarters moved in 1999 into a 19-story building in the Nandan -Str. 80 in the Xujiahui District in central Shanghai. The interior is divided into four areas:

• Center for Astro- geodynamic research
• Area for Astrophysics
• Area for VLBI ( Very Long Baseline Interferometry / Radio Tele copy)
• As high-technology laboratories