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In Daocheng County, Sichuan Province in China, the Daocheng Solar Radio Telescope, featuring 313 6-metre diametre parabolic antennas, has successfully completed key testing, officially becoming the world’s largest synthesis aperture radio telescope. This notable achievement marks a significant milestone in astronomy and space science, with the telescope poised to advance solar physics and space weather research.
This monumental achievement was announced by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), citing that digital technology underpins the operation, data analysis, collaboration, and outreach efforts associated with the world’s largest solar telescope array. It not only enhances the telescope’s efficiency and effectiveness but also contributes to the broader goals of advancing the understanding of the Sun and its impact on the planet.
Perched at an altitude of 3,820 metres, this monumental telescope array graces the Tibetan Plateau like a string of pearls, forming a colossal ring with a staggering diametre of 1 kilometre. This awe-inspiring structure represents a significant milestone in China’s commitment to advancing space science and technology.
The testing phase revealed that the Daocheng Solar Radio Telescope has attained continuous and stable solar radio imaging and spectrum observation capabilities. With a maximum field of view extending up to ten solar radii, the telescope has not only met but also exceeded all technical benchmarks set during its design and construction. To provide some context, a solar radius is an astronomical unit equal to the current radius of our Sun, approximately 695,500 kilometres.
Director Yan Jingye of the CAS project stressed the importance of comprehending the effects of solar activity, especially on a short time scale. The rapid changes in the space environment are collectively referred to as space weather. Given the increasing reliance on high-tech systems like space projects and satellite communication, high-quality monitoring and prediction of space weather are paramount for their smooth operation.
The Daocheng Solar Radio Telescope, with its cutting-edge capabilities, will play a pivotal role in this endeavour. It can monitor various solar eruptions and the intricate process of solar storms as they venture into interstellar space. By delving deep into the mechanisms behind solar eruptions and the laws governing the propagation of solar storms from the Sun to Earth, scientists can predict and assess the impact of solar activity on the planet more accurately than ever before.
The implications of this advancement are far-reaching. Space weather can disrupt satellite communication, endanger the functionality of spacecraft and satellites, and even affect the accuracy of GPS systems, thereby impacting aviation, navigation, and more. Additionally, solar activity can induce geomagnetic currents that threaten power grids and critical infrastructure, posing risks to the daily lives of the people and digital technology.
What sets the Daocheng Solar Radio Telescope apart is its ability to conduct joint observations with other national scientific and technological infrastructures. This collaborative approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of the cosmos.
It will engage in coordinated efforts with the FAST telescope (China Sky Eye) in Guizhou Province, China’s deep-space observation radar facility (China Compound Eye) in Chongqing Municipality, and the Sanya Incoherent Scatter Radar in Hainan Province. These partnerships amplify the potential for groundbreaking discoveries and enhance the ability to protect and optimise high-tech systems on Earth.
According to CAS, the completion of the Daocheng Solar Radio Telescope stands as a testament to human ingenuity and a ceaseless quest for understanding the cosmos. Its role in solar physics and space weather research will not only benefit China but also contribute to the global scientific community.
