Completion of the world's largest-diameter radio telescope in China Nobel Prize
More four-figure for a FAST project completion process.
Liu cixinOn July 3, FAST lifting last reflector unit. From concept to site selection to construction took 22 years, called the change of China's science and technology innovation by foreign media "eye in the sky"--the world's largest single-aperture spherical telescope (abbreviated as FAST) main project is finally completed.
Hosted by the National Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences building, FAST is located in Southwest China's Guizhou province, after the completion of the scale will exceed all other radio telescopes. In shape, FAST like a "pot", diameter up to 500 m, made up of 4450.3 Yuan-Panel Assembly, is the largest radio telescope ever.
Unlike other telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope, by light "YuanWang" observable universe, more like a radio telescope "ear", "tune in" deep space objects by radio waves. And light, radio waves are electromagnetic radiation, but very long wavelengths, from about a mm to more than 100 kilometers. These signals travel furthest distance in space of the universe, and therefore very, very weak. For radio telescope aperture larger, more signals that can be received.
It is worth mentioning that, science fiction writer Liu cixin today also came to completion of the three-body field. This Super telescope are as described in the novel, the help search for extraterrestrial civilizations as early as possible? People look forward to.
FAST or for China to bring the Nobel Prize
FAST Aperture has reached the world's highest--500 meters. In theory, FAST receives electromagnetic signals of 13.7 billion light-years, the distance is close to the edge of the universe.
Built in FAST before, saved two of the largest radio telescope in the world: one is known as "the largest machine" Germany Bonn, 100-metre telescope, one was rated 20th century human head of the ten projects the United States Ah Lei Xibo 300-meter telescope.
FAST completion of its sensitivity will be stronger than Germany 100-meter telescope in Bonn about 10 times; and United States o Lei Xibo compared to the 300-metre telescope, increase its performance by about 2.25 times. 20-30 is expected in the next years, FAST will remain world class status.
Astronomer Zhao Zhiheng believes that radio observations, promoting people's understanding of the universe of the Earth, such as in the 1960 of the 20th century the four discover: cosmic microwave background radiation, quasars, pulsars and interstellar organic molecules. Modern astronomy "two dark black" (IE, dark matter, dark energy, and black holes), there are still many mysteries. FAST receiving and amplifying weak signals from them, help to explain those mysteries.
In fact, pulsars, quasars, interstellar organic molecules and other important astronomical discoveries are associated with radio telescopes. Clear 10 based on astronomical observations in the history of the Nobel Prize, 6 from radio telescopes. Perhaps in the near future, FAST for us to bring a Nobel Prize.
In addition to "tune in" to radio waves, a FAST hydrogen can also search for distant signals, and hydrogen is the origin of the universe "building blocks", could help scientists understand the universe changes. In addition, the FAST action will also join in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Another advantage of the FAST, when it is to observe celestial bodies, along with the change of location of heavenly bodies, spherical cap of 500 m of active reflector forming a diameter of 300 meters in real time on the transient paraboloid, and through the 300-meter parabolic surfaces together to electromagnetic waves.
In simple terms, if FAST an enormous eye, this giant eye eyeball diameter of 500 meters, and receives light eyes just 300 meters in diameter. FAST is to be gathered on this huge flexibility of the eyeball electromagnetic waves, observation of deep space.
China's technological innovation capability
"China's astronomical research has been lagging behind the world. Previously, we need to go abroad to borrow someone else's telescope to observe. Now is the time to own one in China. "FAST project Deputy General Manager Peng Bo said in a media interview earlier.
The scientists spent 10 years examining satellite images of rural area in China, was found to hold FAST the telescope in Guizhou natural pits. Start in 2011 after building, construction period is short of the record, has so far spent 5.5 years.
Due to economy of Guizhou, but also in remote mountainous areas, according to the radio telescope project, Chinese Academy of Sciences Professor Nan rendong, Chief Architect introduce, FAST all the parts were shipped from places thousands of miles to Guizhou.
Because the village five kilometers around the telescope is set to radio silence. Mobile phones, wireless networks have been banned, FAST site near the nearly million people relocated. Government commitment to voluntary relocation compensation, subsidies but some people are not satisfied.
"Very difficult conditions, we work on the need to overcome many difficulties. But telescopes will appeal to a large number of scientists and tourists, is education and the training of the next generation, and good examples of industries in China. "Said Nan rendong.
(Editors: Hao Long UN654)
2016-07-03 18:32:28
Surging news
全球最大口径射电望远镜完工 助中国拿诺贝尔奖
以上四图为FAST项目的建成过程。刘慈欣 7月3日，FAST最后一块反射面单元将完成吊装。这个从概念到选址再到建设，耗时22年，被国外媒体称为改变中国科技创新的“天眼“——世界最大单口径球面望远镜（英文简称FAST）主体工程终于完工。
由中科院国家天文台主持建设，FAST位于中国西南部贵州省，建成后规模将超过所有其他同类的射电望远镜。从外形上看，FAST像是一口“锅”，口径达到500米，由4450块三角形面板拼装组成，是史上最大的射电望远镜。
不同于其他望远镜，比如哈勃太空望远镜，用光来“远望”可见宇宙，射电望远镜更像是个“耳朵”，“收听”太空深处物体发出的无线电波。和光一样，无线电波也是一种电磁辐射，但是波长非常长，从大约一毫米到一百多公里。这些宇宙信号在太空中穿行遥远的距离，因此也非常、非常弱。对于射电望远镜来说口径越大，可接收的信号就越多。
值得一提的是，科幻小说《三体》作家刘慈欣今天也来到竣工现场。这个超级望远镜是否能像小说中所描述的那样，帮助人类尽早地搜寻到地外文明？让人期待。
FAST或能为中国带来诺贝尔奖
FAST的口径达到了世界之最——500米。理论上说，FAST能接收到137亿光年以外的电磁信号，这个距离接近于宇宙的边缘。
在FAST建成以前，世上已存的最大射电望远镜有两个：一个是号称“地面最大的机器”的德国波恩100米望远镜，一个是被评为人类20世纪十大工程之首的美国阿雷西博300米望远镜。
FAST建成后，其灵敏度将比德国波恩100米望远镜提高约10倍；与美国阿雷西博300米望远镜相比，其综合性能提高约2.25倍。预计在未来20-30年时间里，FAST将一直保持世界一流的地位。
天文学家赵之珩认为，射电波段的观测，推动了地球人对宇宙的理解，如20世纪60年代四大发现：宇宙微波背景辐射、类星体、脉冲星和星际有机分子。现代天文学上的“两暗一黑”（即暗物质、暗能量、黑洞）还存在着许多的谜团。FAST接收和放大它们发来的微弱信号，有助于揭开这些谜团。
事实上，脉冲星、类星体、星际有机分子等重要天文发现都与射电望远镜有关。诺贝尔奖历史上明确基于天文观测的10项获奖成果中，有6项出自射电望远镜。或许不久的将来，FAST能为我们带来一个诺贝尔奖项。
除了“收听”无线电波外，FAST还可以搜索氢的遥远信号，而氢是宇宙起源的“积木”之一，可以帮助科学家理解宇宙变迁。此外，FAST也将加入寻找外星生命的行动。
FAST的另一个优势在于，当它观测天体时，会随着天体的方位变化，在其500米的球冠状主动反射面上实时形成一个300米直径的瞬时抛物面，并通过这个300米的抛物面来汇聚电磁波。
简单来说，如果把FAST比作一只巨大的眼睛，那么这只巨眼的眼球直径就有500米，而负责接收光线的眼珠直径就有300米。FAST就是靠这个巨大灵活的眼珠来汇聚电磁波、观测深空。
提升中国科技创新能力
“中国天文研究一直落后于世界。以前，我们需要到国外去借别人的望远镜来观察。现在是时候自己在中国建一个了。”FAST项目副总经理彭勃此前接受媒体采访时说。
科学家花费了10年的时间审视中国农村地区的卫星图像，才在贵州找到了能够容纳FAST望远镜的天然深坑。2011年开工建设后，工程建设时期却是创纪录的短，至今只花了五年半时间。
由于地处经济不发达的贵州，又是在偏远的山区，据射电望远镜工程总设计师、中科院的南仁东教授介绍，FAST项目的所有部件都从千里之外的地方运到贵州。
因为望远镜周边五公里的村庄被设定为无线电静默区。移动电话，无线网络都被禁止使用，FAST选址附近有近万人搬迁。政府承诺给自愿搬迁的人发放补偿，但也有部分人对于补贴并不满意。
“条件非常艰苦，我们的工程进展需要克服很多的困难。但望远镜会吸引来大批科学家和游客，也是教育、培养下一代和中国工业的好榜样。”南仁东说。
(责任编辑：郝龙 UN654)
2016-07-03 18:32:28
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