China is building a radio telescope capable of detecting signs of life at a distance of billions of light-years from the Earth

An impressive engineering and scientific project in China is quite possible to bring humanity one step closer in the question of whether or not people are alone in the universe, or there are other extraterrestrial civilizations.

New radio telescope

The Ministry of Defense of the country is conducting this major project, during which it is planned to build the world's largest radio telescope. And more recently, the state-run media have released images of an amazing design that is already nearing completion. When this project is completed, its "plate" will be the size of thirty football fields - accordingly, this telescope can fundamentally change the representation of mankind about the universe, as well as its inhabitants.

After commissioning, the facility will have the potential to intercept radio signals and determine signs of life on planets and other space objects at a distance of many millions of light years. The State News Channel of China reports that this telescope will be completed in 2016, and a huge "plate" will provide a much more accurate definition. A radio telescope is like a sensitive ear that transmits meaningful radio signals, transforming them from white noise in the universe. It's like listening to the cicadas chirping during a thunderstorm.

Progressive astronomy

The incredible accuracy of this radio telescope will allow astronomers to observe the Milky Way and other galaxies, notice weak pulsars, and this telescope can serve as a base for further space missions. And, of course, it will make it possible to greatly advance the exploration of outer space for the existence of extraterrestrial life. In July 2015, when NASA discovered a planet similar to Earth, called Kepler-452b, the inspiration of all of humanity was easy to understand. This planet was in an ideal zone - at such a distance from the Sun, which allowed it to have its own atmosphere and even water. However, the definition of radio signals originating from the planet, at the moment is beyond the capabilities of modern instruments. But now everything will change. The general director of the Astronomical Society of China confidently spoke about the possibilities of the coming project - with his help people will be able to search for intelligent life outside the galaxy, and also to study the origin of the universe.

Perfect location

The construction of this radio telescope began in 2011 in Guizhou Province - in a natural deepening among the karst mountains. Remoteness of this place from civilization means minimal interference from other radio signals, and the topography of the region makes it ideal for placing this type of telescope. When the project is completed, the new telescope will surpass the largest operating radio telescope located at Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico - its diameter is 305 meters.

Great leap forward

The Chinese space program is constantly promoted by great leaps. In 2003, China became the third country to send a person into orbit, and since then Chinese astronauts have conquered space, launched a space laboratory and sent a moon probe to the Moon. In 2015, the Chinese are building a heavy rocket to launch a second robotic mission to the moon and build a sixty ton space station.

The giant observatory will be a perfect addition to an already ambitious space program - and that element that will have the opportunity to change people's notions of the universe. Many people believe that mankind is not alone in space. Naturally, no one can guarantee that the new largest radio telescope will definitely find traces of the existence of intelligent life. But with certainty it can be said that it will allow people to look much deeper into space, to places where no one has ever looked.

Chinese scientists are seriously committed to fundamentally turn the notion of space around humanity. And while the signs of life not related to the Earth, it would be interesting to find, but in fact this telescope has a much more serious and important mission. In addition to this, it definitely marks the beginning of a new era in astronomy - and China is unlikely to stop in its impressive progress.