FAST’s mission
Is to survey neutral hydrogen in the Milky Way and other galaxies, detect faint pulsars, look for the first shining stars and listen for possible signals from other civilisations
Pulsars
Neutron stars that emit beams of radio waves outward from the poles of their magnetic fields. Their rotation spins a beam across the Earth, which radio telescopes detect as a "pulse" of radio waves.
Some pulsars maintain their rate of spin so consistently they rival Earth’s best atomic clocks. This makes them remarkable laboratories in which to study the fundamental nature of space, time, and gravity
Hold FAST
Radio telescopes collect radio waves by reflecting waves off a broad surface, and focusing them back at a central receiver. FAST’s surface will be able to adjust in different directions and cover the sky within 40 degrees of the zenith. Arecibo, currently the world’s largest telescope, only has a 20-degree range
Panels of the dish
The panels have cables fixed to the back, allowing computers to control them and provide an "active surface" that can alter the focal point
World’s largest radio telescopes
Explore the dimensions
Here we compare the size of FAST to Hong Kong's skyscrapers. Explore this 3D image for a sense of the relative dimensions of FAST to Hong Kong’s IFC, ICC, Bank of China, Cheung Kong Centre and Central Plaza.
This is 3D content
Click and drag to spin the model. Use the wheel to control the zoom.
