The Chinese mainland’s Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), renowned as the world’s largest single-dish and most sensitive radio telescope, has made a groundbreaking achievement by identifying more than 1,000 new pulsars since its launch in 2016, according to the National Astronomical Observatories under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) on Tuesday.
This remarkable discovery means that FAST has surpassed the total number of pulsars found by all other international telescopes combined, highlighting its pivotal role in advancing our understanding of the cosmos.
What Are Pulsars?
Pulsars are highly magnetized, rotating neutron stars that emit beams of electromagnetic radiation. They are remnants of massive stars that have ended their life cycles in supernova explosions. These celestial objects are invaluable to astronomers as their regular pulsations serve as cosmic lighthouses, helping to map the universe and test the laws of physics under extreme conditions.
The achievements of FAST not only underscore China’s growing prowess in astronomical research but also provide the global scientific community with invaluable data. As FAST continues to scan the skies, it promises to uncover even more secrets of the universe, fostering collaboration and innovation in the field of astronomy.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
