
Dr. Ping Zhou is interested in high-energy astrophysics, interstellar medium, and (pre-)historical transients. Her research invokes multi-wavelength observations from the largest observing facilities on the Earth and in space. She obtained her PhD at Nanjing University in 2014 and then worked as an assistant researcher for two years. During 2016 and 2020, she was a Veni fellow and then a postdoc fellow at the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Consultation hours for NJU students: 2:00--4:00 pm Monday
Office: 505 Astronomy Building
Email:
Please make an appointment at least one week in advance.
Supernova remnants
Interstellar medium
Compact objects (especially magnetars)
Feedback of high-energy sources
X-ray astronomy
(pre-)historical transients
Scientific Collaborations
• IXPE (Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer), supernova remnant working group
• eXTP(enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry) ), science working group member
• XIPE (X-ray Imaging Polarimetry Explorer, mission cancelled in 2018) ), science working group member
• HUBS (Hot Universe Baryon Surveyor) ), science working group member
• LHAASO (Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory ), science working group member
• SKA (Square Kilometre Array) China, member of the interstellar medium group
Professional Activities
PI of observational projects using big telescopes such as XMM-Newton, IRAM, APEX, JCMT, VLA, GBT, and LOFAR (~300 hours by 2020).
Organiser of the multidisplinary workshop “Historical supernovae, novae, and other transients” at Lorentz Center, Leiden, the Netherlands, 2019
Reviewer of Chandra and JCMT proposals
Referee of ApJ, MNRAS, Astronomische Nachrichten journals
Press and media reports
• NASA/Chandra press release: Rare Blast’s Remains Discovered in Milky Way Center 2021
• astrobites: Hot Zombie Stars in Your Area 2020
• Quanta Magazine: The Most-Magnetic Objects in the Universe Attract New Controversy 2019
• Sky & Telescope news: Blast from the Past in Today’s Sky 2018
• IRAM news: Expanding molecular bubble unveiling the mysterious origin of Tycho’s supernova remnant 2016
• ESA, space in images: Magnetar discovered close to supernova remnant Kesteven 79 2014
• HEASARC, picture of the week: New Supermagnet 2014
Selected Publications
• Zhou, P., G.-Y. Zhang, X. Zhou, et al. : Unusually high HCO+/CO ratios in and outside supernova remnant W49B, ApJ, 931, 144, 2022
• Zhou, P., Leung, S.-C., Li, Z., Nomoto, K., Vink, J., and Chen, Y.: Chemical abundances in Sgr A East: evidence for a type Iax supernova remnant, ApJ, 908,31, 2021
• Zhou, P., Zhou, X., Chen, Y., Wang, J.-S., Vink, J., and Wang, Y.: Revisiting the Distance, Environment, and Supernova Properties of SNR G57.2+0.8 that Hosts SGR 1935+2154, ApJ,905,99 2020
• Zhou, P., Vink, J., Safi-Harb, S., and Miceli, M.: Spatially resolved X-ray study of supernova remnants that host magnetars: Implication of their fossil field origin, A&A,629,A51, 2019
• Zhou, P.,Vink, J.,Li,G.,&Domček,V.:G7.7−3.7:A Young Supernova Remnant Probably Associated with the Guest Star in 386CE (SN 386), ApJL, 865, L6, 2018
• Zhou, P., Li, J.-T., Zhang, Z.-Y., et al.: Molecular Gas toward Supernova Remnant Cassiopeia A, ApJ, 865, 6 2018
• Zhou, P., & Vink, J.: Asymmetric Type-Ia supernova origin of W49B as revealed from spatially resolved X-ray spectroscopic study, A&A, 615, A150 2018
• Zhou, P., Chen, Y., Safi-Harb, S., Zhou, X., Sun, M., Zhang, Z.-Y., & Zhang, G.-Y.: Multi-wavelength Study of the Supernova Remnant Kes 79 (G33.6+0.1): On Its Supernova Properties and Expansion into a Molecular Environment, ApJ, 831, 192 2016
• Zhou, P., Chen, Y., Zhang, Z.-Y., Li, X.-D., Safi-Harb, S., Zhou, X., & Zhang, X.: Expanding Molecular Bubble Surrounding Tyco’s Supernova Remnant (SN 1572) Observed with the IRAM 30 m Telescope: Evidence for a Single-degenerate Progenitor, ApJ, 826, 34, 2016
• Zhou, P., Chen, Y., Li, X.-D., et al.: Discovery of the Transient Magnetar 3XMM J185246.6+003317 near Supernova Remnant Kesteven 79 with XMM-Newton, ApJL, 781, L16, 2014