China’s giant radio telescope tunes in to the universe
Largest project of its kind begins operating in Guizhou province, with mission that includes searching for intelligent extraterrestrial life
The world’s largest radio telescope began searching for signals from stars and galaxies and, perhaps, extraterrestrial life on Sunday in a project demonstrating China’s rising ambitions in space and its pursuit of international scientific prestige.
Beijing has poured billions into such ambitious scientific projects as well as its military-backed space programme, which saw the launch of the country’s second space station earlier this month.
Measuring 500 metres in diameter, the radio telescope is nestled in a natural basin within a stunning landscape of lush green karst formations in southern Guizhou province. It took five years and US$180 million to complete and surpasses that of the 300 metre Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico.
Xinhua said hundreds of astronomers and enthusiasts watched the launch of the Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) in the county of Pingtang.
Researchers quoted by state media said FAST would search for gravitational waves, detect radio emissions from stars and galaxies and listen for signs of intelligent extraterrestrial life.