我国首台15米口径亚毫米波望远镜启动建设

Core Viewpoint - The construction of China's first self-developed 15-meter diameter submillimeter wave telescope (XSMT) has officially commenced, aimed at enhancing the country's capabilities in astronomical observation and research [1][5]. Group 1: Telescope Specifications and Features - The XSMT features a 15-meter diameter high-precision antenna panel, supporting high-frequency submillimeter wave observations [1]. - It is equipped with advanced scientific instruments, including a large field multi-color camera, a three-band superheterodyne receiver, and a 460GHz multi-beam receiver, enabling wideband, broad field, and high-sensitivity observations [1]. Group 2: Importance of Submillimeter Wave Observations - Submillimeter waves, with wavelengths between 0.1 to 1 millimeter, reveal cosmic secrets that are invisible to visible light and near-infrared observations, such as the movement of interstellar dust, distribution of molecular gas, and the birth and growth of stars [2]. - Traditional visible light telescopes struggle to penetrate cosmic dust, while submillimeter wave observations can uncover the laws of galaxy formation and evolution, as well as trace the origins of life-related molecules, playing a crucial role in studying the formation of stars and planets [2]. Group 3: Strategic Significance and Future Impact - The establishment of the XSMT addresses the historical weakness in China's submillimeter wave astronomical observation capabilities, filling a significant gap in the country's observational facilities [5]. - Once operational, the telescope is expected to drive breakthroughs in fields such as galaxy formation and evolution, galactic structure, interstellar chemistry, and time-domain astronomy, and will serve as a platform for interdisciplinary applications in atmospheric science and large-capacity space-ground communication [7].