走进“世界巨眼”南非台址

Core Insights - The Square Kilometer Array (SKA) is a major international scientific project aimed at building the world's largest radio telescope, with significant participation from China [5][9][11] - The SKA project is divided into two sites: one in South Africa and the other in Australia, chosen for their low light pollution and optimal conditions for astronomical observations [6][9] - The project aims to enhance our understanding of the universe through advanced radio astronomy techniques, with a focus on high sensitivity, wide-field surveys, and rapid observation capabilities [10][12] Project Overview - SKA is a collaborative effort involving multiple countries, initiated in 1993, and has evolved into a global scientific partnership [9][11] - The South African site will consist of thousands of 15-meter diameter dish antennas, utilizing radio interferometry to enhance signal reception [6][8] - As of now, 64 antennas have been constructed at the South African site, with an additional 15 antennas designed and built by Chinese teams currently being assembled [6][11] Technical Features - The SKA's design allows for a large effective aperture, significantly increasing its sensitivity and ability to detect faint signals from the universe [9][10] - The MeerKAT telescope, a precursor to SKA, has already achieved notable scientific results, including imaging the center of the Milky Way and detecting signals from distant galaxies [10][12] - The project generates approximately 8 terabytes of data per second, which is processed and analyzed by supercomputers to facilitate global scientific collaboration [8][10] International Collaboration - China plays a crucial role in the SKA project, contributing to the design and construction of the mid-frequency antennas and participating in the SKA Regional Science Center [11][12] - The collaboration between SKA and China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) is expected to enhance research capabilities in various fields of astronomy [12] - The SKA project exemplifies the importance of international cooperation in advancing scientific knowledge and addressing complex challenges in data processing and analysis [9][12]