Nan Rendong (, 19 February 1945
–15 September 2017) was a Chinese
astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist in the field of astronomy who focuses on a specific question or field outside the scope of Earth. Astronomers observe astronomical objects, such as stars, planets, natural satellite, moons, comets and galaxy, galax ...
of
Manchu
The Manchus (; ) are a Tungusic peoples, Tungusic East Asian people, East Asian ethnic group native to Manchuria in Northeast Asia. They are an officially recognized Ethnic minorities in China, ethnic minority in China and the people from wh ...
descent.
Nan Rendong was a researcher at
National Astronomical Observatory of China
The National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC, ) is an astronomical research institute operated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, Purple Mountain Observatory and National ...
, and he was the founder, Chief Scientist and the Chief Engineer of the
Five hundred meter Aperture Spherical Telescope
The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST; ), nicknamed Tianyan (, lit. "Sky's/Heaven's Eye"), is a radio telescope located in the Dawodang depression (), a natural basin in Pingtang County, Guizhou, southwestern China. FAST ...
(FAST) in China.
He was an
IAU
The International Astronomical Union (IAU; , UAI) is an international non-governmental organization (INGO) with the objective of advancing astronomy in all aspects, including promoting astronomical research, outreach, education, and developmen ...
member, where he was the Vice-President of Division X (Radio Astronomy) and Commission 40 (Radio Astronomy) from 2003 to 2006, and then the President of both the division and commission in 2006–2009.
Nan Rendong died from
lung cancer
Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma, is a malignant tumor that begins in the lung. Lung cancer is caused by genetic damage to the DNA of cells in the airways, often caused by cigarette smoking or inhaling damaging chemicals. Damaged ...
in
Boston
Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...
on 15 September 2017.
He was 72 years old.
Asteroid
79694 Nanrendong was named in his memory.
The official was published by the
Minor Planet Center
The Minor Planet Center (MPC) is the official body for observing and reporting on minor planets under the auspices of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Founded in 1947, it operates at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.
Funct ...
on 25 September 2018 ().
He was granted the titles "Model of our Times" and "Reform Pioneer" for his contribution.
References
External links
* , includes an interview with Nan Rendong
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nan, Rendong
1945 births
2017 deaths
21st-century Chinese astronomers
Tsinghua University alumni
Radio astronomers
Manchu people
People from Liaoyuan
Deaths from lung cancer in Massachusetts
Physicists from Jilin
20th-century Chinese astronomers