Stargazers, meet your new BFF: China just capped the main structure of a massive 110-meter radio telescope in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region! Nestled in the Tianshan Mountains, this engineering marvel weighs over 6,000 tonnes and can scan 75% of the sky once operational. 🚀
Why It’s a Big Deal
Unlike fixed telescopes, this fully steerable giant can pivot to track cosmic phenomena like a celestial DJ spinning records. When completed in 2028, it’ll outsize the current champ—the 100-meter Green Bank Telescope in the US—and join China’s upcoming 120-meter telescope in Jilin Province. Talk about a space race! 🌠
What’s Next?
After six years of construction, engineers will now install high-tech sensors and run tests. Imagine calibrating a dish larger than a soccer field—no pressure, right? This project underscores China’s growing role in global astronomy, offering fresh insights into pulsars, black holes, and maybe even alien radio stations (👽 optional).
