At the heart of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, the Chinese mainland has officially broken ground on the Xueshanmuchang 15-meter SubMillimeter Telescope (XSMT). Perched at 4,800 meters above sea level in Delingha, Qinghai Province, this high-precision project led by the Purple Mountain Observatory under the Chinese Academy of Sciences aims to fill a key gap in the country's astronomical infrastructure.
With its 15-meter aperture optimized for high-frequency submillimeter-wave observations, the XSMT will peer into a 'cold universe' largely hidden from traditional optical scopes. Submillimeter waves—ranging from 0.1 to 1 millimeter in wavelength—unlock cosmic secrets like the movement of interstellar dust, the distribution of molecular gases, and the birth and growth of stars.
Unlike visible-light telescopes, which struggle to penetrate cosmic dust, submillimeter-wave facilities can trace the laws of galaxy formation and evolution and even detect life-related molecules in space. This makes them indispensable for studying the formation of stars and planets and for mapping the universe's chemical building blocks.
Such observations demand exceptionally dry, stable air. The telescope's location, often called the 'roof of the world', boasts high altitude, minimal human interference, and extremely low water vapor, creating ideal conditions for submillimeter-wave astronomy.
Scheduled for completion in 2027, the XSMT will take its place among global observatories exploring the cold universe, empowering scientists to push the boundaries of our understanding of cosmic origins.
Reference(s):
China starts construction of XSMT telescope on 'roof of the world'
cgtn.com
