description FAST Overview
The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) is a national observatory located in China’s Guizhou province. It represents the world's largest single-dish radio telescope, measuring 500 meters in diameter. Its immense collecting area allows for unprecedented sensitivity in detecting faint radio signals from space. FAST is utilized by astronomers studying celestial objects like pulsars, quasars, and the early universe, primarily benefiting researchers investigating fundamental physics and astrophysics.
help FAST FAQ
Where is the FAST telescope located?
The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) is located in a natural karst sinkhole in Pingtang County, Guizhou Province, China. The site's geographic depression perfectly accommodates the massive dish.
How large is the FAST telescope?
FAST is the world's largest single-dish radio telescope, with a diameter of 500 meters (1,640 feet). Its massive collecting area gives it significantly greater sensitivity than the previous record holder, the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico.
What are the primary scientific goals of the FAST telescope?
The FAST telescope is designed to detect pulsars, search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), and study neutral hydrogen in the universe. Since becoming operational, it has discovered hundreds of new pulsars.
When did the FAST telescope become fully operational?
Construction of the FAST telescope was completed in 2016, but it officially began regular operations in January 2020. The delay allowed scientists to thoroughly test and calibrate the complex instrument before full-time use.
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