Since its launch in 2016, the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) in Guizhou Province has made groundbreaking strides in astronomy by discovering over 900 new pulsars. This achievement not only marks a significant milestone for FAST but also propels our understanding of the cosmos to new heights.
Pulsars are fast-spinning neutron stars formed from the remnants of massive stars that have undergone supernova explosions. Han Jinlin, a scientist with the National Astronomical Observatories under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC), highlighted that FAST's discoveries include more than 120 binary pulsars, over 170 millisecond pulsars, and 80 faint and intermittent pulsars.
To put this into perspective, in the past five decades, fewer than 3,000 pulsars were identified worldwide. FAST's contributions exceed three times the number discovered by other telescopes in the same period, underscoring its pivotal role in modern astronomy.
\"The study has important implications for understanding the dense remnants of dead stars in the Milky Way and their radiation characteristics,\" Han explained. These observations are crucial for confirming the existence of gravitational waves and black holes, addressing some of the most profound questions in physics.
Jiang Peng, the chief engineer of FAST, emphasized the dedication of the team in optimizing the telescope's performance. With an annual observation time of approximately 5,300 hours, FAST continues to be a cornerstone in the continuous generation of scientific research.
Located in a deep karst depression, FAST began formal operations in January 2020 and is recognized as the world's most sensitive radio telescope. Its advancements are not only a testament to China's growing prowess in scientific research but also a beacon for future discoveries in the field of astronomy.
Reference(s):
China's gigantic telescope detects over 900 new pulsars since launch
cgtn.com
