China has officially commenced the second phase of construction to enhance the capabilities of the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST), the world’s largest single-dish radio telescope.
Overview of the FAST Telescope
- Location: Situated in a karst region in Guizhou, southwest China.
- Operational Since: January 2020.
- Completion: The telescope was completed in 2016 but became fully operational in early 2020.
Expansion Details
- New Features: The second phase will introduce 24 new moveable radio telescopes, each with a diameter of 131 feet (40 meters).
- Start Date: Construction officially started on September 25, coinciding with the eighth anniversary of FAST’s completion.
FAST Core Array
- Purpose: The expansion is named the FAST Core Array.
- Environment Utilization: It will leverage the “quiet” electromagnetic environment within a 3-mile (5 kilometers) radius around the telescope, enhancing performance.
- Site Selection: The original site was chosen for its remote location and unique natural topography.
Scientific Goals
The new telescopes will significantly improve resolution and detection capabilities, allowing scientists to conduct deeper investigations into various fields, including:
- Gravitational Wave Events
- Fast Radio Bursts
- Supernovae
- Black Hole Tidal Disruption Events
Additional Contributions
The expansion will also aid in:
- Space Situational Awareness
- Detection of Small Solar System Objects
- Communication and Control of Deep Space Probes
Research Opportunities
Since early 2021, FAST has been open to research requests from international scientists and teams. To date, it has detected over 900 pulsars, which are fast-spinning neutron stars.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the name of the world’s largest single-dish radio telescope?
- A) Hubble Space Telescope
- B) Very Large Array
- C) Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST)
- D) Arecibo Observatory
Answer: C) Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST)
- When did construction for the second phase of FAST officially start?
- A) January 2020
- B) September 25, 2023
- C) September 25, 2016
- D) December 2020
Answer: B) September 25, 2023
- How many new moveable radio telescopes are being added in the second phase of FAST?
- A) 10
- B) 20
- C) 24
- D) 30
Answer: C) 24
- What scientific fields will the expansion of FAST contribute to?
- A) Weather Forecasting
- B) Gravitational Wave Events
- C) Climate Change Studies
- D) Oceanography
Answer: B) Gravitational Wave Events
- How many pulsars has FAST detected so far?
- A) Over 500
- B) Over 700
- C) Over 900
- D) Over 1000
Answer: C) Over 900