World’s largest single dish radio telescope by China to hunt for Aliens

Q.  China launched the FAST telescope to hunt for aliens and explore space on 25th September 2016. What does FAST stand for?
- Published on 27 Sep 16

a. Five Hundred Meter Aperture Spherical Telescope
b. Fifteen Hundred Meter Aperture Spherical Telescope
c. Five Hour Meter Aperture Aperture Spherical Telescope
d. None of the above

ANSWER: Five Hundred Meter Aperture Spherical Telescope
 
World’s largest single dish radio telescope by China to hunt for AliensChina on 25th September officially launched the 500m Aperture Spherical Telescope/ FAST in the mountainous region of Guizhou province.
  • Telescope has been launched to hunt for extraterrestrial life and explore space
  • FAST is a radio telescope located in Dawodang depression, a natural basin in Pinging County, Guizhou Province, SW China
  • It comprises a fixed 500m dish constructed in a natural depression in the landscape
  • This is the world’s largest filled single dish or aperture radio telescope
  • It is the second largest radio telescope after Russian RATAN-600
  • The final cost of the project is USD 180 million
  • Construction on the FAST project began in 2011 and was completed in July 2016
  • Chief scientist of this project is Nan Rendong
  • It has a fixed primary reflector located in a natural hollow in the landscape, focusing radio waves on a receiver suspended 140m above it
  • Reflector is composed of perforated aluminium panels supported by steel cables hanging from the rim
  • Surface constitutes 4450 trinagular panels, 11 m on a side in the form of a geodesic dome
  • It can point anywhere within +- 40 degrees from the zenith.

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