China's FAST radio telescope detects more than 660 new pulsar stars

According to the Xinhua News Agency,The FAST (Five hundred meter Aperture Spherical Telescope) spherical radio telescope built in China has detected more than 660 pulsar stars since the start of operation.

Pulsars are rapidly rotatingneutron stars, which are formed after supernova explosions from their nuclei. Their high density and fast rotation make them ideal "laboratories" for studying physical laws in extreme conditions that are inaccessible to reproduction by modern technical means.

FAST, installed in southwest China's Guizhou province, is "the world's largest radio telescope," according to Xinhua.

"Research and Observations with FASTentered a golden period thanks to the stable operation of the equipment,” said Jiang Peng, chief engineer of FAST. "Sufficient observation time and outstanding ability to pick up signals allowed FAST to perform better than other radio telescopes."

FAST, called the world's largest single-apertureradio telescope, built in a deep rounded karst depression in Guizhou province. The telescope officially began operation in January 2020. According to Xinhua, this is the most sensitive radio telescope in the world.