前所未有的全景视角！“银河画卷”开卷

Core Insights - The "Milky Way Imaging Survey Project" (MWISP) has officially released its first batch of millimeter-wave molecular line observation data to the global community, marking a significant milestone in astronomical research [1][6]. Group 1: Project Overview - The MWISP is a large-scale millimeter-wave molecular line survey covering 2,310 square degrees near the northern galactic plane, specifically from galactic longitude 10 to 230 degrees and latitude ±5.25 degrees [3][6]. - The project has been in development since 2011, culminating in over 100 million spectral line data points, creating the most comprehensive millimeter-wave carbon monoxide molecular line database to date [3][6]. Group 2: Technological Advancements - The survey utilizes a 13.7-meter diameter millimeter-wave radio telescope located at the Qinghai Observation Station, which is currently the only large-scale radio astronomical observation equipment in China operating in the millimeter-wave band [3][6]. - The core backend instrument, a multi-beam superconducting imaging spectrometer, enhances observational efficiency by 60 times compared to traditional methods, allowing for high-sensitivity and high-resolution surveys of molecular gas in the Milky Way [3][6]. Group 3: Scientific Contributions - The MWISP data exhibits significant advantages in sensitivity, dynamic range, multi-line simultaneous observation, and uniform sampling across large areas, surpassing previous international carbon monoxide survey projects [6]. - The data provides a detailed view of the macro distribution structure of molecular gas in the Milky Way and reveals internal details and physical properties of interstellar molecular clouds, supporting research on gas circulation and star formation processes [6]. Group 4: Future Implications - The release of this data is expected to promote collaborative innovation in multi-band astronomical research, aiding domestic and international research teams in studies related to star formation and galaxy evolution [6]. - The success of the MWISP lays the groundwork for future large-aperture millimeter/submillimeter telescopes to conduct surveys with hundreds of beams, highlighting China's growing capabilities in astronomical data support and international collaboration [6].