200 most important Astronomy topics - Sykalo Eugen 2023


The FAST Radio Telescope

The FAST radio telescope is a powerful instrument that has been making headlines since its launch in 2016. As the largest single-dish radio telescope in the world, the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) is located in the Guizhou province in southwest China. Its massive size and sensitivity make it twice as powerful as its predecessor, the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. Scientists have been using the FAST radio telescope to unlock the secrets of the universe and make significant contributions to the field of astronomy.

What is the FAST Radio Telescope?

The FAST radio telescope was built in a natural depression in the landscape, which allows it to collect radio waves from a large area of the sky. The telescope has a diameter of 500 meters, which is the size of 30 football fields. This large size enables it to detect faint signals from distant objects that other telescopes are unable to detect. The telescope is capable of scanning the sky rapidly, allowing scientists to collect data on a large number of objects in a short amount of time.

How Does it Work?

The FAST radio telescope works by collecting radio waves that are emitted by celestial bodies in the universe. These radio waves are then reflected off the surface of the dish and focused onto a receiver at the focal point of the dish. The receiver then converts the radio waves into electrical signals, which are then processed and analyzed by scientists.

The telescope has several advantages over other telescopes. Its large size and sensitivity make it a powerful tool for studying distant objects and collecting data on a large scale. In addition, it is able to scan the sky rapidly, allowing scientists to collect data on a large number of objects in a short amount of time.

What has the Telescope Discovered?

Since its launch in 2016, the FAST radio telescope has made several discoveries that have helped to unlock mysteries of the universe. One of the most significant discoveries was the detection of a repeating fast radio burst (FRB) in 2019. FRBs are intense bursts of radio waves that last only a few milliseconds and are thought to originate from distant galaxies. The discovery of a repeating FRB was significant as it allowed scientists to study the object in greater detail and try to determine its origin.

The FAST radio telescope has also been used to study pulsars, which are highly magnetized, rotating neutron stars. The telescope has helped to discover several new pulsars, including one that rotates at a rate of 716 times per second, making it the fastest spinning known pulsar.

What Does the Future Hold?

The FAST radio telescope has already made significant contributions to the field of astronomy, but its potential is far from realized. Scientists are continuing to use the telescope to study the universe and unlock its mysteries. One area of particular interest is the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). The telescope is able to scan the skies for signals that may indicate the presence of intelligent life in the universe.

In addition to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, scientists are using the FAST radio telescope to study the origins of the universe, the nature of dark matter, and the structure of galaxies. The telescope is also being used to study the cosmic microwave background radiation, which is the afterglow of the Big Bang. By studying this radiation, scientists can gain insights into the early universe.