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Amazing discovery of the Sky Eye: How does FAST find new pulsars in the universe?
China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), better known as the "Eye of the Sky", is located in a natural basin in Guizhou Province and is the largest radio telescope in the world today. This amazing technology combines cutting-edge engineering and astronomy to explore the deep universe, searching for new pulsars and other celestial objects.
Construction of FAST began in 2011 and it was declared fully operational in January 2020. The telescope has a unique design and its 500-meter diameter mirror dish can be adjusted in real time, which continues to attract the attention of astronomers around the world.
Telescope structure and technology
FAST features an advanced design consisting of 4,450 metal panels that form a parabolic structure that can be adjusted instantly. This revolutionary design not only allows the telescope to quickly adapt to different observation needs, but also improves its ability to extract weak signals.
The telescope's reflecting surface is supported by a set of steel cables, and its position can be changed by a movable antenna mounted above. This gives the SkyEye the ability to observe in the frequency range between 70 MHz and 3 GHz, making it an ideal tool for searching for pulsars.
According to reports, since the first observation in 2016, FAST has continuously discovered new pulsars, especially two new pulsars in August 2017.
Discovery of pulsars
FAST's first discoveries were PSR J1859-01 and PSR J1931-02, located 16,000 and 4,100 light-years away, respectively. This major discovery not only demonstrates the technical strength of FAST, but also further confirms its potential in exploring the universe.
As of 2021, FAST has successfully discovered more than 500 new pulsars. Its results complement the independent confirmation of Australia's Parkes Observatory, demonstrating the importance of international cooperation in scientific research.
Historical Background of the Project
The idea of creating FAST began in 1994 and was officially approved in 2007. The entire construction process involves the relocation of thousands of people. Such a decision is certainly difficult, but it also shows the importance the Chinese government attaches to astronomical research.
"FAST is more than just a telescope; it is a window to the universe, allowing us to explore unanswered questions."
Comparison with other telescopes
FAST is significantly different in design compared to the previous Arecibo telescope. Arecibo's mirror is a fixed spherical shape and cannot be adjusted in real time. This difference gives FAST greater flexibility and efficiency in capturing signals and its wide observation range.
Considering future exploration
FAST's future missions are not limited to the search for pulsars, but also include extensive surveys of neutral hydrogen, interstellar molecular detection, and the search for signals from extraterrestrial intelligent life. Starting from 2021, FAST will begin to open to foreign scientists to further promote international cooperation.
"This project not only gives us a deeper understanding of the history of the universe, but also opens up the possibility of searching for extraterrestrial intelligence."
Conclusion
From its initial design concept to the latest pulsar discovery, FAST has continuously refreshed people's understanding of the universe. As humans continue to explore the universe, we may discover more surprising secrets in the dark corners of the universe in the future. How will all this ultimately affect our understanding of our own existence?
