Journey from construction to excellence: How operations management and scientific results power LAMOST forward astronomy

Abstract

The Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST), widely recognized as the “King of Spectroscopy,” stands as a milestone in modern astronomical infrastructure. By overcoming the long-standing difficulty of integrating large aperture with wide field of view through its innovative active reflecting Schmidt configuration and 4,000-fiber system, LAMOST made large-scale spectroscopic surveys operationally feasible. Over 14 years of continuous observation, it has progressed from an engineering breakthrough to a globally influential scientific data platform. Supported by science-oriented governance, systematic operational management, automated data pipelines, and an open-access policy, LAMOST has released more than 28 million spectra, enabling major advances in Galactic structure and evolution, stellar astrophysics, and black hole studies. As it moves into the era of artificial intelligence and data-driven discovery, LAMOST demonstrates how technological innovation combined with effective management can sustain long-term scientific impact and leadership in major research facilities.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

LAMOST / spectroscopic survey / operation and management / open access and sharing / scientific output / galactic archaeology

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