On June 30, 2017, LAMOST released its third Data Release (DR3) to astronomers worldwide, which includes all spectra obtained during the pilot survey and the first three years’ regular survey. Through LAMOST DR3, a total number of 5.75 million spectra were released to the international community, which included 4.66 million high-quality spectra with SNR ≥ 10. Besides, a catalogue which as provided stellar parameters of 3.17 million stars was also released internationally in this data set. DR3 has thus resulted in the largest public spectral set and stellar parameter catalogue in the world at present. According to the international practice, LAMOST DR3 is completely open to the world publically afterthe protection period. Any one that is interested in using LAMOST DR3 can log on the website http://dr3.lamost.org/ to download this data set.

    Fig.1 Footprint of the LAMOST pilot survey and the first three years’ general survey

The huge data volume proves that LAMOST is indeed with the world’s highest spectral acquisition rate. Fig. 1 shows the footprint of LAMOST pilot survey and the first three year s’ regular survey.

LAMOST results in a final catalogue of about 9 million spectra after its five-year regular survey, which is an exceedingly valuable resource for a variety of astronomical fields. With the obtained data, scientists create a “digital Galaxy” for future research on the structure, formation and evolution of Galaxy. As Gaia and LAMOST sky survey move on smoothly, the near-future Galactic astronomy will enter a whole new era of LAMOST and Gaia.