The Sky Eye: Five-Hundred-Meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) (China’s Big Science Facilities)

This book introduces the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), also known as the "The Sky Eye", one of the China’s big science facilities. Using easy-to-understand language, the book covers the scientific background, construction process, achievements, and effects of FAST on the development of the national economy. With a large number of intuitive and vivid images and videos, the book presents basic information on FAST for general readers who are interested in astronomy. Editorial Board Series Foreword Preface Contents Towards the Sea of Stars 1 Radio Astronomy 2 Radio Telescope 3 Why We Need Large Aperture Radio Telescopes? The “China Sky Eye” Explores the Universe 1 What Can the FAST Do? 1.1 Space Beacons—fSearch and Timing Observation of Pulsars 1.2 The Probe of Cosmic Evolution—Neutral Hydrogen 1.3 Fast Radio Bursts 1.4 Obtaining Ultrafine Structures of Celestial Bodies 1.5 Exploring the Origin of Life in Space—Interstellar Molecules 1.6 Are We Alone?—Exploring Extra-Terrestrial Civilization 1.7 The FAST Application Objects 2 Innovative Concepts of FAST 3 System Composition of the FAST 3.1 Building the Orbit for the Eye—The Site Construction 3.2 The Eye’s “Crystalline Lens”—A Movable Reflecting Surface 3.3 The Feed Support 3.4 High-Precision Measurement and Control 3.5 Feeds and Receivers 3.6 Observatory Construction 4 Operating Principle of the FAST 5 Advanced Technologies of the FAST 5.1 High Sensitivity 5.2 Large Sky Area 5.3 Broadband Coverage and Multiple Beams Pillars of a Great Power—Intelligent Manufacturing in China 1 Let the Dream Set Sail 2 Find a Home for China Sky Eye 2.1 Why Karst Depression? 2.2 Essential Quiet Radio Environment 2.3 Radio Environment Monitoring for the Candidate Site of FAST 2.4 FAST Radio Environment Protection 3 Braving Hardships and Difficulties to Build the “Sky Eye” 3.1 The Excavation of the Site and Slope Treatment 3.2 The Mounting of Structural Steelwork of the Ring Beam 3.3 The Engineering for Manufacturing and Mounting the Cable Net 3.4 The Engineering for Manufacturing and On-Site Mounting Feed Towers 3.5 The Engineering for Manufacturing and Mounting the Cable-Driven System 3.6 The Engineering for Hydraulic Actuators of the Active Reflector of FAST 3.7 The Manufacturing and Mounting of the Feed Cabin and Its Parking Platform 3.8 The Measurement Base and the Integrated Wiring System 3.9 The Development and Installation of Reflector Units 3.10 The Development of Receivers and Terminals Systems 3.11 The Construction of Observation Station 3.12 The R&D and Implementation of Electromagnetic Compatibility 3.13 Early Scientific Studies of FAST Project 4 Technical Challenges and Breakthroughs in Design 4.1 Active Reflector 4.2 Cable-Driven System 4.3 The Feed Cabin 4.4 Measurement and Control 4.5 Receiver and Terminal Function 4.6 Electromagnetic Compatibility 5 Excellent Abilities of “China’s Sky Eye” 5.1 Cable Net Structure: Active Deformation Working Mode with Ultra-large Span, Ultra-high Precision, and Ultra-high Fatigue Resistance 5.2 Movable Optical Cable: High Strength, Long-Term Bending Fatigue Resistance, and Low Loss 5.3 Dynamic and Stereo Measurement System: Large Scale, Multiple Targets, and High Precision 5.4 Electromagnetic Compatibility Measures of the Super-Sensitive Complex Telescope System Long March of Dream Pursuers 1 World Record 2 Discovery of New Pulsars 3 Future Prospects Major Events in FAST History