World's largest radio telescope impresses media delegation

A bird's eye view of the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope on May 25, 2021. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Guizhou has achieved many firsts, of which the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope, or FAST, is a true highlight. On May 25, a media delegation visited the astronomical facility to learn about its history and achievements.

FAST is located in a karst depression called "Dawodang" in Pingtang county of Qiannan Buoyei and Miao autonomous region in Guizhou province.

Dawodang was finally chosen as FAST's construction site in 2006, following a site selection period that lasted 12 years and reviewed more than 300 candidates.

Construction began on FAST in March, 2011, and the telescope was launched on Sept 25, 2016.

It became fully operational on Jan 11, 2020, after passing the national inspection process.

It's now the world's most sensitive and largest single-dish radio telescope. Previously, the 305-meter-diameter Arecibo telescope in Puerto Rico was the world's largest, a position it held for 53 years.

FAST's key tasks include observing pulsars and detecting interstellar molecules and interstellar communication signals.