The Antarctic Astronomy and Time-domain Astronomy Group (AATAG) has carried out pioneer work in Antarctic astronomy.  We have developed both software and hardware of the operation, control and data system for the Antarctic Survey Telescope (AST3), which achieved unattended, automated sky survey, including observation, real-time data reduction and transfer, automatic detection of transient candidates and automatic alarming.

Members from the group have participated in the Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition (CHINARE) for 6 times, installing and commissioning instruments at the inland Kunlun Station, Dome A.

In 2018, we developed and installed a set to site testing instruments successfully at the Kunlun Station, including two Kunlun Differential Image Motion Monitors (KL-DIMM) and its 8m tower, a Kunlun Automated Weather Station (KLAWS), and two Kunlun Cloud and Aurora Monitors (KLCAM). The data have proved that Dome A in Antarctica has the best astronomical observing conditions in optical on the ground with a measured seeing as good as 0.13 arcseconds and a median free-atmosphere seeing of 0.31 arcseconds. These results provide a scientific basis for future Antarctic astronomy projects. The study was published in Nature in July 2020.