The Square Kilometer Array (SKA) Organization has officially recognized the Tianlai project as an SKA Pathfinder, marking a significant milestone in global astronomical research.
Led by the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and situated in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of the Chinese mainland, the Tianlai project focuses on validating key technologies for detecting dark energy. Dark energy is believed to constitute approximately 70 percent of the universe, driving its accelerating expansion.
The Tianlai project boasts two advanced telescope arrays: a columnar array equipped with 96 feed sources and a dish array comprising 16 six-meter parabolic antennas. These arrays will test innovative detection methods for neutral hydrogen surveys, contributing valuable data to the SKA, a prominent global radio telescope project involving over 10 countries, including China.
Being part of the SKA Pathfinder program, Tianlai joins other large scientific facilities worldwide in paving the way for the SKA's scientific and technological advancements. This recognition underscores the Chinese mainland's pivotal role in advancing cutting-edge astronomical research and fostering international scientific collaboration.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
