ILOA Hawai'i and NAOC-CAS signed an MoU on 12 December 2023 to begin a 2-year project to analyze Chang'E-3 LUT data. The researcher was selected earlier this year and will begin work in March of 2024. This MoU (as shown below) builds on the original MoU agreement signed in April 2019.
Memorandum of Understanding
between
International Lunar Observatory Association
and
National Astronomical Observatories of Chinese Academy of Sciences
for
Co-sponsorship of a 2-Year Research Fellow to Analyze Chang’E-3 Lunar-based Ultraviolet Telescope Data Since 2013 to Maximize Science output from LUT and Advance Astronomy from the Moon
The National Astronomical Observatories of Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC), Beijing PRC, and the International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA), a non-profit international organization based in Hawai’i, USA agree to co-sponsor a 2-year research fellow to process and utilize data from the Chang’e-3 Lunar-based Ultraviolet Telescope (LUT). LUT is the first and only robotic telescope on the surface of the Moon, and the only instrument on Chang’e-3 that is still functioning since its landing 14 December 2013. This ‘Astronomy from the Moon’ data reduction, processing, and utilization research fellowship project will aim to maximize science output from LUT for the science community worldwide, publish Galaxy research results, and promote further LUT observations and studies.
ILOA and NAOC has been collaborating since ILOA’s founding in 2007, including imaging of the first spiral galaxy (M101) from the Moon with LUT in 2014.
ILOA is an interglobal enterprise incorporated in Hawaii as a non-profit to expand human knowledge of the Cosmos through observation from our Moon and to participate in internationally cooperative lunar base build-out, with Aloha – the spirit of Hawaii.
NAOC, headquartered in Beijing under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, conducts cutting-edge astronomical studies, operates major national facilities, and develops state-of the-art technological innovations. NAOC actively collaborates with scientists around the world, including for Antarctic Astronomy.
ILOA and NAOC agree to the following on a mutually beneficial basis:
50% - 50% funding split of 2-year Research Fellow with qualifications of PhD (or equivalent), and English / Chinese language proficiency.
ILOA will be primary point of contact for Research Fellow during application process, and share applicant information with NAOC for help in final candidate selection.
All information collected, produced and published by ILOA-NAOC Research Fellow will be available to both ILOA and NAOC to distribute at will.