FAST: World's largest radio telescope in China to be expanded
The world's largest radio telescope was completed in China eight years ago. Now it is to be significantly expanded in a second construction phase.
The FAST radio telescope in China
(Image: FAST)
China has begun work on the expansion of the world's largest radio telescope. In the second construction phase, 24 new mobile radio telescopes, each with a diameter of 40 meters, are to be added. These are now to be set up around the huge dish, which is located in a valley in Guizhou province.
Construction officially began on September 25, the eighth anniversary of the completion of the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST). This was reported by the state television station CCTV. With the huge dish with a diameter of 500 meters, the new telescopes are said to improve the resolution and detection rate.
Silent zone within a radius of five kilometers
A so-called "silent" electromagnetic environment exists within a radius of five kilometers around the telescope. The site was chosen due to its remote location and natural topography, as there is very little electromagnetic interference. Visitors are strictly prohibited from carrying electronic devices with them. A village had to be relocated specifically for the construction of the telescope. Its 8,000 inhabitants had to make way so that no disruptive influences would hinder the work of the telescope.
The telescope in southwest China began its work in September 2016. Hundreds of scientists were present at the commissioning ceremony. At the time, the chief engineer expected the observatory to be a world leader for 10 to 20 years. Visually similar to the Arecibo telescope, which has since been destroyed, FAST is significantly larger than the world-famous structure in Puerto Rico. Research objectives include gaining new insights into gravitational waves, supernovae and the search for extraterrestrial life. Since its commissioning, it is said to have already discovered more than 900 new pulsars.
(mki)