In a significant advancement for astronomical research, the main antenna of China’s 40-meter-aperture radio telescope was successfully installed on Friday in Shigatse, located in the southwest Xizang Autonomous Region.
Developed by the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, this fully movable, high-precision, multi-purpose telescope is set to complete its basic construction by the end of 2024. Initial observation capabilities are expected to commence in early 2025.
Situated approximately 35 kilometers west of Shigatse’s city center at an altitude of around 4,100 meters, the telescope benefits from minimal electromagnetic wave interference, ensuring optimal performance.
Once construction is finalized, the telescope will join China’s very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) network. This network comprises multiple radio telescope stations across the country and a VLBI data processing center under SHAO, providing essential support for China’s deep-space exploration initiatives.
VLBI technology measures the time difference between signals received at various Earth-based antennas, effectively creating a virtual telescope with a size equivalent to the maximum distance between the antennas. This technique allows for unprecedented precision in astronomical observations.
The integration of the new telescope into the VLBI network aims to form a giant, hyper high-precision synthesis aperture radio telescope. This network will offer crucial technical support for future lunar and planetary exploration missions, including manned lunar landings planned by China.
Reference(s):
Main antenna reflector of radio telescope in Xizang installed
cgtn.com
