Group 1 - The collaboration between Tsinghua University and international astronomers has successfully created a clearer magnetic field map of the Milky Way by utilizing the FAST and MeerKAT telescopes, providing new insights into star cluster evolution and the Milky Way's magnetic field [1][3] - Globular clusters, among the oldest celestial bodies in the Milky Way, consist of millions of stars, including highly magnetized pulsars that emit precise electromagnetic signals, carrying valuable information about interstellar matter and magnetic fields [3][6] - The joint observation effort has resulted in the measurement of polarization rotation for 43 pulsars across 8 globular clusters, which is a key indicator of cosmic magnetic field strength, revealing that 7 of the clusters lack detectable ionized gas, indicating an unusually "clean" environment [6][7] Group 2 - The term "dust-free realm" has been coined to describe the exceptionally clean environment of these ancient celestial bodies, raising new questions about how globular clusters have maintained such cleanliness over billions of years [6][7] - Future collaborations will focus on tracking pulsar mutations, studying interstellar turbulence, and even exploring potential signals from extraterrestrial civilizations [7]

Core Viewpoint - Tsinghua University, in collaboration with astronomers from Italy, Australia, Germany, and other countries, has conducted high-precision observations of globular clusters using China's FAST and South Africa's MeerKAT telescopes, providing the most comprehensive measurements of magnetic field gradients and ionized gas limits to date, offering new insights into cluster evolution and the Milky Way's magnetic field [1][2]. Group 1 - The FAST telescope, with a 500-meter diameter, excels at capturing faint cosmic signals from pulsars millions of light-years away, while the MeerKAT telescope, with its 64 antennas, focuses on tracking signals across broader areas, detecting polarization changes caused by ionized gas [2]. - This collaboration marks the first deep cooperation between these two leading radio telescopes in the field of globular cluster research, achieving unprecedented observational limits and measuring polarization rotation for 43 pulsars across 8 globular clusters [2]. - The study revealed that 7 of the globular clusters showed no detectable ionized gas, contradicting theoretical models that predict significant gas presence, suggesting the existence of effective gas-clearing mechanisms, potentially from strong radiation winds of white dwarfs and young stars [2]. Group 2 - The data analysis was primarily conducted by Dr. Zhang Lei, who emphasized that the unexpected lack of gas in globular clusters necessitates a reevaluation of cluster evolution theories [2]. - Future collaborations between FAST and MeerKAT will continue to explore pulsar mutations, study interstellar turbulence, and even investigate potential signals from extraterrestrial civilizations [2].

Core Insights - Tsinghua University, in collaboration with astronomers from Italy, Australia, Germany, and other countries, has conducted high-precision observations of globular clusters in the Milky Way using the Chinese FAST and South African MeerKAT telescopes, providing the most comprehensive measurements of magnetic field gradients and ionized gas upper limits to date [1] Group 1 - The research offers a clearer magnetic field map of the Milky Way, contributing to the understanding of cluster evolution and the galactic magnetic field [1]

Group 1 - The research conducted by Tsinghua University and international astronomers utilized the FAST and MeerKAT telescopes to perform a high-precision pulsar polarization survey of globular clusters, providing the most comprehensive measurements of magnetic field gradients and ionized gas limits to date [1] - The study observed 43 pulsars across 8 globular clusters, doubling the global sample size and creating a clearer map of the Milky Way's magnetic field [1] - The findings were published as a cover article in the journal "Science Bulletin" on May 20 [1] Group 2 - The research revealed that, apart from 47 Tucanae, other globular clusters lacked detectable ionized gas, contradicting theoretical models that predicted significant gas presence [2] - This unexpected finding suggests the existence of effective gas-clearing mechanisms within globular clusters, potentially driven by strong radiation winds from white dwarfs and young stars [2] - The results challenge existing theories of globular cluster evolution, prompting a reevaluation of current models [2]