FAST radio telescope is now the world's largest telescope, located in Guizhou, China. (Photo : FAST)
China just revealed its completion of the world's largest radio telescope, which aims to detect signals from distant galaxies, to search for intelligent alien life.
Known as FAST (Five-hundred-meter Single-Aperture Radio Telescope), this massive structure possesses 4,450 reflector panels with a diameter similar to 30 football fields, according to local Chinese news reports.
Last Saturday, 300 guests were invited to witness the installation of the last triangle shaed panel on the reflector dish, in Pingtang county located in the southwest province of Guizhou.
This ambitious project began construction in March 2011 which is estimated to reach US $105 million, finishing two months ahead of time.
In 2009, some 9,110 local residents were relocated into four seperate settlements, that was ordered by the government in order to create a sound electromagnetic wave environment, according to local provincial officials. Apart from new homes, they were also provided with $1,800 to compensate for their relocation. Those who belonged to ethnic minorities and were met with housing challenges were also provided an additional $1,500.
Within three miles of the telescope, any resident or community member is prohibited to dwell within this scope. There are also three hills around this depression that form a perfect triangle.
According to chief FAST scientist, Nan Rendong, this world's largest single aperture telescope is specifically located at a very remote and extremely radio-quiet location. This will yield crucial scientific impact on astronomy, resulting in extraordinary data that will revolutionize other fields of natural sciences.
FAST will help astronomers to survey distant galaxies and detect neutral hydrogen that will also include faint pulsars that are highly magnetized, including fast spinning neutron stars, emitting beams of electromagnetic radiation across space.
The previous record holder of the world's largest single aperture telescope is the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, with 328 yards in diameter.
