Most of us have glanced upon the night sky and wondered if there are any other lifeforms out there. Science has shown us that it is highly likely that is the case. However, we don’t have the proof yet. Well, China came one step closer to solve the mystery. They just completed the world’s largest alien-hunting radio telescope and it is massive!
[pullquote]It’s called FAST (Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope) and cost over $180 million to complete.[/pullquote] The huge telescope consists of 4600 triangular panels and is similar in design to the Arecibo Observatory. As can be derived from the name, the telescope’s entire diameter measures 500 meters (1,600 ft). Despite its size, FAST’s surface panels can adjust to create a parabola aligned with the desired sky direction.
Over 300 invited builders, experts, science fiction enthusiasts and reporters attended the historic moment when the telescope was completed in the southern Chinese province of Guizhou.
Don’t expect China to be finding aliens anytime soon as the radio telescope will be used for early-stage research during its initial two years in operation. However, after that, the usage will be broader, and scientists can go alien-hunting on a larger scale.
Before construction could begin, the Chinese government had to displace as many as 9,000 people that lived in the area. For leaving their homes, they received compensation of the tune of $1,800. Not exactly a massive amount of money, however, everyone apparently complied.
Only time will tell whether China will be first to discover life in outer space. One thing is for sure, the eyes of science fiction enthusiasts have now all turned to China for answers. That should be enough to keep the initiative to discover intelligent life in outer space. The pressure is on, China! Don’t let us down!
Will we ever find life in outer space? Is it possible that an alien race has sent us a message that we are likely to be able to pick up using radio technology? Let us know what you think in the comment section below.
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