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iTHUS2026
Hong Kong, China · Nov 11–13, 2026

International Terahertz / Submillimeter Observing Universe Symposium 国际太赫兹 亚毫米波 观测宇宙 研讨会

国际太赫兹/亚毫米波观测宇宙研讨会
Conference artwork: a black hole with its glowing accretion disk set against a spiral galaxy, framed by an ornate golden border with radio telescope ornaments
Dates Nov 11 – 13, 2026 3 days · registration opens Nov 10
Location Hong Kong, China Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin · near CUHK
Format Invitation-only Frontier research & development, discussion-driven
01

Rationale and Themes

Why we meet, and what we will discuss.

Submillimeter astronomy, spanning the terahertz frequency regime, offers a critical observing window onto the mysteries of the Universe. Leading facilities such as ALMA, NOEMA and the EHT, together with upcoming next-generation facilities, are actively advancing our understanding of the dark and cold Universe — of black holes, galaxies, star formation and exoplanetary systems. Taking this chance, we initiate a focused, discussion-driven meeting in Hong Kong in 2026: the International Terahertz & Submillimeter Observing Universe Symposium (iTHUS). Three main themes will frame our discussions:

I

Capabilities & Instruments

Terahertz & Submillimeter Astronomy Development

Next-generation facilities and technological advances poised to open new discovery space — from large single-dish telescopes to interferometric arrays — and the scientific breakthroughs they aim to unlock.

  • ALMA
  • IRAM
  • EHT
  • XSMT 15m
  • Antarctica
  • ALMA2040
  • AtLAST
II

Scientific Frontiers

Black Holes · Star Formation · Galaxy Evolution

State-of-the-art science enabled by infrared, terahertz, and (sub)millimeter observations — from black hole imaging at the galactic centers to the cold gas reservoirs of the early Universe. Drawing on results from EHT, VLTI, ALMA, NOEMA and other facilities.

  • EHT / ngEHT
  • Sgr A* · M87
  • black hole movie
  • protoplanetary disks
  • cosmic evolution
III

Collaboration & Roadmap

Forging Collaborations and Charting Future Routes

Opportunities for strategic collaboration across institutions, facilities, and continents — building a coordinated community around the next generation of terahertz and submillimeter science, aligning ambitions, sharing expertise, and defining a collective roadmap.

  • XSMT 15m × Northern Hemisphere
  • 230 GHz VLBI
  • community building
  • iTHUS series
02

Speakers / Participants

Keynotes, talks, and everyone joining us — badges show each person's role.

Confirmed Speakers

Speaker list as of July 2026. Final confirmations and talk titles will follow.

03

Programme

Three days · 12 keynotes · 12 talks · discussion-rich by design.

Keynote 40 min (30 + 10) Talk 25 min (20 + 5) Discussion Break / social
Wed · Nov 11 Opening · Frontiers & Achievements of (Sub-)mm Astronomy
Session 1 · Morning World Perspectives of (Sub-)Millimeter Astronomy
08:50 – 09:00Opening remarks
09:00 – 09:40Keynote · Prof. Reinhard Genzel
09:40 – 10:20Keynote · To be announced
10:20 – 10:50Group Photo & Coffee / Tea Break
10:50 – 11:15Talk · To be announced
11:15 – 11:40Talk · To be announced
11:40 – 12:05Talk · To be announced
12:05 – 12:25Discussion & Brainstorming
12:30 – 14:00Lunch break
Session 2 · Afternoon Great Achievements of Submm Astronomy
14:00 – 14:40Keynote · To be announced
14:40 – 15:20Keynote · To be announced
15:20 – 15:50Coffee / Tea Break
15:50 – 16:15Talk · To be announced
16:15 – 16:40Talk · To be announced
16:40 – 17:05Talk · To be announced
17:05 – 17:25Discussion & Brainstorming
Evening
18:00 – 21:30Conference dinner
Thu · Nov 12 High-resolution Astronomy + (Sub-)mm Surveys
Session 3 · Morning High-resolution View of Submm Astronomy / Planets & Black Hole
09:00 – 09:40Keynote · To be announced
09:40 – 10:20Keynote · To be announced
10:20 – 10:50Coffee / Tea Break
10:50 – 11:15Talk · To be announced
11:15 – 11:40Talk · To be announced
11:40 – 12:05Talk · To be announced
12:05 – 12:25Discussion & Brainstorming
Session 4 · Afternoon Great Surveys of Submm Astronomy / ISM & Star Formation
14:00 – 14:40Keynote · To be announced
14:40 – 15:20Keynote · To be announced
15:20 – 15:50Coffee / Tea Break
15:50 – 16:15Talk · To be announced
16:15 – 16:40Talk · To be announced
16:40 – 17:05Talk · To be announced
17:05 – 17:25Discussion & Brainstorming
Fri · Nov 13 Dynamic Universe & Origins of Life + Closing
Session 5 · Morning Dynamic View of the Observing Universe
09:00 – 09:40Keynote · To be announced
09:40 – 10:20Keynote · To be announced
10:20 – 10:50Coffee / Tea Break
10:50 – 11:30Keynote · To be announced
11:30 – 12:10Keynote · To be announced
12:10 – 12:30Summary & farewell

Programme is indicative and will be refined as confirmations are received. A detailed schedule with talk titles will be circulated to invited participants.

04

Venue & Logistics

Hong Kong, China · November 2026.

Venue

The Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin

The symposium will be held at The Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin, near the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). All sessions take place in the hotel.

Accommodation

Stay where the symposium happens

We encourage all participants to stay at The Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin. The Local Organising Committee and CUHK are coordinating room arrangements at CUHK internal rates — details and booking instructions will follow.

Entry & visa Most nationalities enter Hong Kong visa-free for short visits; mainland participants may use the Exit–Entry Permit (港澳通行证). Invitation letters are available on request during registration.
November weather Hong Kong in November is mild and dry — around 19–26 °C, the most pleasant season of the year.
Currency & payment Hong Kong dollar (HKD). Credit cards and mobile payments are accepted almost everywhere.
Power & plugs 220 V · 50 Hz, British-style three-pin sockets (type G). Adapters are inexpensive and widely available.
05

Registration

One form for your seat, stay, and dietary needs.

i.

Submit the form

You will receive an invitation code from our organizer email. Please use the invitation code when registering.

ii.

Book your room

Stay at the symposium hotel, The Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin — we have booked enough rooms at the CUHK internal rates. With our promo code to be announced via email, you will then select your rooms on the hotel website using the promo code. Instructions will be sent soon.

Open the registration form Deadline: October 10, 2026 · changes after submission: organizer@ithus2026.org
06

Organising Committees

Convened by Purple Mountain Observatory, CAS.

Scientific Organising Committee (SOC)

  • Shengcai Shi 史生才
  • Karl Schuster
  • Jacqueline Hodge
  • Bing Zhang 张冰
  • Paul Ho
  • Nario Kuno
  • Daizhong Liu 刘岱钟
  • And more to be confirmed

Local Organising Committee (LOC)

  • Purple Mountain Observatory, CAS 紫金山天文台 Jing Li 李婧 · Yan Gong 龚䶮 · Daizhong Liu 刘岱钟
  • The Chinese University of Hong Kong 香港中文大学 Name to be added
  • The University of Hong Kong 香港大学 Name to be added
  • Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, CAS 中国科学院香港创新研究院 Name to be added

Hosted by

Purple Mountain Observatory, CAS & The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Co-organized by

The University of Hong Kong & Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation, CAS

Symposium email