Announcement: 2nd Sino-Europe Workshop on Lunar Gravitational Wave Detection

26-30 July 2026, Lanzhou, China

Following the success of the inaugural meeting in 2024, we are pleased to announce the 2nd Sino-Europe Workshop on Lunar Gravitational Wave Detection, to be held in Lanzhou, China.

Rationale

Lunar gravitational wave detection is transitioning from theoretical exploration to mission reality. The LGWA (Lunar Gravitational Wave Antenna) concept has matured into a detailed mission design. Concurrently, China’s Chang’e‑7 mission is scheduled for 2026, and will carry a high‑precision seismometer to the lunar south pole, offering the first opportunity to characterize the Moon’s seismic environment with modern instrumentation.

These developments create both opportunity and urgency to address critical questions such as: What scientific breakthroughs will lunar GW missions bring? How does real lunar structure modulate the seismic response across frequency bands relevant to GW detection? Can GW-induced signals be reliably distinguished from intrinsic lunar noise (moonquakes, thermal fluctuations, meteoroid impacts)? What instrument performance can be realistically achieved under lunar surface conditions?

The first Sino-Europe workshop held in 2024 established a collaborative foundation, bringing together gravitational physicists, planetary seismologists, and instrument engineers. The second meeting aims to advance this integration, bridging theoretical modeling with experimental development.

Conceptual illustration of the Lunar GW instrument (generated by ChatGPT)

Join Us in Lanzhou

Lanzhou offers an ideal setting for this gathering. As a historic center of aerospace and nuclear science, the city embodies China’s long-standing commitment to fundamental research. Its location along the ancient Silk Road symbolizes the bridging of cultures and scientific traditions—precisely the spirit of this workshop. Moreover, Lanzhou’s accessibility to Dunhuang, with its UNESCO World Heritage sites, offers participants a rare opportunity to experience both scientific and cultural richness in a single journey.

For those seeking both rigorous science and a glimpse of the sublime, this is a journey worth taking.

More about Lanzhou can be found here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g297409-Activities-Lanzhou_Gansu.html

We look forward to welcoming you to Lanzhou.

Lanzhou and Dunhuang Mogao Caves (Image source: ifeng.com. All rights belong to the original copyright holder. Used here for illustrative purposes only.)

Important Dates

1 June: Online registration closes

26 July: Arrival and registration

27-28 July: Talks and presentations

29 July: Focused discussions

30 July: Focused discussion & departure

Confirmed Speakers:

• ...

Science Organizing Committee:

• Xing Bian (IMECH-CAS)
• Xian Chen (PKU)
• Jan Harms (GSSI)
• Yu-Xiao Liu (LZU)
• Ziren Luo (IMECH-CAS)
• Peng Xu (IMECH-CAS)
• Jinhai Zhang (IGG-CAS)
• Xiao-Min Zhang (BIT) 
• ...

Local Organizing Committee:

• Yu-Xiao Liu (Chair)
• Han Wang
• Jie Yang 
• Yupeng Zhang
• Jie He (Conference secretary)