Wide Field Survey Telescope

Last updated
Wide Field Survey Telescope
Location(s) Lenghu, Mangnai, Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai, PRC
Coordinates 38°36′24″N93°53′46″E / 38.6068°N 93.8961°E / 38.6068; 93.8961 OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Organization Chinese Academy of Sciences
Purple Mountain Observatory
University of Science and Technology of China   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Altitude4,200 m (13,800 ft) OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
First light 17 September 2023  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Telescope style optical telescope
reflecting telescope   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Diameter2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Website wfst.ustc.edu.cn OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
China edcp relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Location of Wide Field Survey Telescope

The Wide Field Survey Telescope (WFST) is a Chinese telescope characterized by a 2.5-metre primary mirror, [1] dedicated to time-domain surveys, tracking objects that change during observation such as supernovae. [2] It saw first light on 17 September 2023 when the WFST imaged the Andromeda Galaxy. [3] The telescope operates at six wavelength bands spanning 320 to 1028 nm; with a 3° field of view, it can reach objects as faint as 23rd magnitude. [4] [5]

The telescope - nicknamed Mozi after an ancient Chinese philosopher and optics pioneer - is located on the Tibetan Plateau, near Lenghu Town in Qinghai Province, at an altitude of 4200 metres. [6] The project to build the telescope was begun in 2017 by the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei and the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Nanjing. [2] After a three-month pilot survey, the telescope is anticipated to begin a 6-year mission in 2024. [2]

Notes

  1. "WFST". wfst.ustc.edu.cn.
  2. 1 2 3 Gemmma Conroy (2023-09-26). "China's powerful new telescope will search for exploding stars". nature.com. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  3. Andrew Jones (2023-09-19). "China's new wide-field survey telescope scopes out Andromeda galaxy". space.com. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  4. Lou, Zheng; Liang, Ming; Yao, Dazhi; Zheng, Xianzhong; Cheng, Jingquan; Wang, Hairen; Liu, Wei; Qian, Yuan; Zhao, Haibin; Yang, Ji (2016-10-01). Xu, Min; Yang, Ji (eds.). "Optical design study of the Wide Field Survey Telescope (WFST)". Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (Spie) Conference Series. Advanced Optical Design and Manufacturing Technology and Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation. 10154: 101542A. Bibcode:2016SPIE10154E..2AL. doi:10.1117/12.2248371. S2CID   125751312.
  5. Lei, Lei; Zhu, Qing-Feng; Kong, Xu; Wang, Ting-Gui; Zheng, Xian-Zhong; Shi, Dong-Dong; Fan, Lu-Lu; Liu, Wei; Zhao, Haibin (2023-01-08). "Limiting Magnitudes of the Wide Field Survey Telescope (WFST)". Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics. 23: 035013. arXiv: 2301.03068 . Bibcode:2023RAA....23c5013L. doi:10.1088/1674-4527/acb877.
  6. Meghan Bartels (2023-08-19). "Chinese Astronomers Eye Tibetan Plateau Site for Observatory Project". Scientific American. Retrieved 2022-02-27.


Related Research Articles

<i>Romance of the Three Kingdoms</i> (TV series) Chinese television series

Romance of the Three Kingdoms is a Chinese television series adapted from the classical 14th century novel of the same title by Luo Guanzhong. The series was produced by China Central Television (CCTV) and was first aired on the network in 1994. It spanned a total of 84 episodes, each approximately 45 minutes long. One of the most expensive television series produced at the time, the project cost 170 million yuan. It was completed over four years and involved over 400,000 cast and crew members, including divisions of the People's Liberation Army from the Beijing, Nanjing and Chengdu military regions. Some of the dialogue spoken by characters was adapted directly from the novel. Extensive battle scenes, such as the battles of Guandu, Red Cliffs and Xiaoting, were also live-acted.

<i>The Prince of Han Dynasty</i> Chinese TV series or program

The Prince of Han Dynasty is a three-season Chinese television series featuring a fictionalised life story of Liu Che, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Season 1 was first broadcast on Beijing Television in 2001 in mainland China, followed by the second and third seasons in 2003 and 2005 respectively. Except for Huang Xiaoming, who played Emperor Wu in all three seasons, the cast members in each season are almost different from its preceding one.

<i>Three Kingdoms</i> (TV series) 2010 Chinese historical series

Three Kingdoms is a 2010 Chinese television series based on the events in the late Eastern Han dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period. The plot is adapted from the 14th century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms and other stories about the Three Kingdoms period. Directed by Gao Xixi, the series had a budget of over 160 million RMB and took five years of pre-production work. Shooting of the series commenced in October 2008, and it was released in China in May 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">China at the 2008 Summer Paralympics</span> Sporting event delegation

China was the host of the 2008 Summer Paralympics, held in Beijing. China's delegation included 547 people, of whom 332 were competitors. The athletes, 197 men and 135 women, ranged in age from 15 to 51 and competed in all twenty sports. 226 of the competitors participated in the Paralympic Games for the first time. The delegation was the largest in Chinese history and at the 2008 Games. China topped the medal count at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens. China dominated the medal count winning the most gold, silver, bronze, and total medals by a wide margin in Beijing.

<i>The Story of Han Dynasty</i> Chinese TV series or program

The Story of Han Dynasty is a Chinese television series based on the events in the Chu–Han Contention, an interregnum between the fall of the Qin dynasty and the founding of the Han dynasty in Chinese history. The series was first broadcast on CCTV in China in 2003. Directed by Wei Handao, the series starred Hu Jun, Xiao Rongsheng, Jacklyn Wu, Kristy Yang, Wang Gang and Li Li-chun.

<i>The Water Margin</i> (1998 TV series) 1998 Chinese TV series or program

The Water Margin is a 1998 Chinese television series adapted from Shi Nai'an's classical 14th-century novel of the same title. It was produced by CCTV with Zhang Jizhong as producer. It was first broadcast in China in January 1998. The series also featured action choreography by Yuen Woo-ping.

<i>Outlaws of the Marsh</i> (TV series) Chinese TV series or program

Outlaws of the Marsh is a Chinese television series adapted from Shi Nai'an's classical 14th century novel Water Margin. It was first broadcast on Shandong TV in China in 1983, and was not completed until 1986. The series was one of the earliest television dramas with an ancient China setting to be produced in mainland China. It was divided into different parts, each focusing on the story line of a certain character. Widely regarded, as a classic in mainland China, the series won a Golden Eagle Award.

<i>The Han Triumph</i> Chinese television series

The Han Triumph, also known as Wind Ode, is a Chinese television series based on historical events in the early Han dynasty, beginning with the founding of the dynasty by Liu Bang after his triumph over Xiang Yu, and the events leading to the reign of Liu Heng. Directed by Huang Jianzhong, the series starred Ray Lui, Wang Ji, Liu Mu, Zhang Guangbei, Chen Wei and Li Qingxiang in the leading roles. It was first broadcast on CCTV-8 in China on 17 December 2011.

<i>Justice Bao</i> (2010 TV series) Chinese television series

Justice Bao is a Chinese TV series starring producer Jin Chao-chun as the Song dynasty official Bao Zheng. The series ran for 3 seasons from 2010 to 2012. In addition to Jin, Kenny Ho, Fan Hung-hsuan and Lung Lung again reprise their iconic roles from the 1993 Taiwanese hit Justice Pao and the 2008 Chinese series Justice Bao.

<i>Wu Zi Bei Ge</i> Chinese TV series or program

Wu Zi Bei Ge, also known as Wu Zi Bei Ge: Wu Zetian Zhuan, is a 2006 Chinese television series based on the life of Wu Zetian, the only woman in Chinese history to assume the title of "Empress Regnant". The series was directed and written by Chen Yanmin, and starred Siqin Gaowa and Wen Zhengrong as the empress. The series' title Wu Zi Bei Ge literally means "Song of the Uncharactered Stele", with the "stele" referring to the unmarked one standing near Wu Zetian's tomb at the Qianling Mausoleum.

<i>The Shadow of Empress Wu</i> Chinese TV series or program

The Shadow of Empress Wu, also known as Riyue Lingkong, is a Chinese television series about the relationship between Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history, and Xie Yaohuan, a fictional female official serving in Wu's court. The series was directed by Lu Qi and starred Liu Xiaoqing, Eva Huang, Vincent Jiao, Ma Xiaowei and Yang Zi in the leading roles. It was first broadcast on CCTV from August 2007 to January 2008 in mainland China, and in November 2008 on HD Jade in Hong Kong.

<i>The Deer and the Cauldron</i> (2014 TV series) 2014 Chinese TV series

The Deer and the Cauldron is a Chinese television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Deer and the Cauldron. It was directed by Lai Shui-ching, and starred Han Dong, Wei Qianxiang and others. The series was shot from September–December 2013, and first aired on Anhui TV, Sichuan TV and Yunnan TV from 20 December 2014 to 9 January 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xuntian</span> A planned Chinese space telescope

Xuntian, also known as the Chinese Space Station Telescope (CSST) is a planned Chinese space telescope currently under development.

<i>The Advisors Alliance</i> Chinese TV series or program

The Advisors Alliance is a 2017 Chinese two-part television series based on the life of Sima Yi, a government official and military general who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty and Three Kingdoms period of China. The series starred Wu Xiubo as the main character, with Liu Tao, Li Chen, Janine Chang, Tang Yixin, Yu Hewei and Wang Luoyong playing supporting roles. The first part of the series started airing on Jiangsu TV and Anhui TV on 22 June 2017. The second part started airing on Youku on 8 December 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SN 2012fr</span> Supernova

SN 2012fr was a supernova in the NGC 1365 galaxy that was discovered by Alain Klotz on October 27, 2012.

The China men's national artistic gymnastics team represents China in FIG international competitions.