“中国天眼”要升级了！为什么要升级？怎么升级？

Core Insights - The FAST telescope, known as the "China Sky Eye," is advancing its upgrade plans to maintain China's leading position in the field of low-frequency radio astronomy and to respond to international competition [1][5] Group 1: FAST's Achievements - Since its operation began in 2020, FAST has maintained stable and efficient performance, with total observation hours exceeding 5,400 and scientific data exceeding 17.5 petabytes in the last complete observation year [1][2] - FAST has produced significant breakthroughs in various fields, including gravitational wave detection, pulsar searches, fast radio bursts, and neutral hydrogen observations [2][3] - The telescope has successfully detected multiple near-Earth asteroids, including potential threats, and has improved radar imaging resolution of the Moon from kilometers to 10 meters [2][3] Group 2: Upgrades and Innovations - To reduce reliance on imported components, FAST is actively pursuing the domestic production of key components such as high-performance receivers and steel cables, with plans to replace imported cables with domestic ones in the upcoming maintenance cycle [4] - The second phase of the FAST project aims to construct a giant array of medium-sized antennas around FAST, creating a unique integrated aperture array that will enhance observational capabilities [6][7] - If progress continues smoothly, the giant array is expected to be completed by 2030, significantly improving spatial resolution and observational sensitivity, allowing for deeper exploration of the universe [7]