Fast Telescope

Is there life on distant planets? How did the universe get started? Can humans find other worlds in which to live? Nobody knows the answers to these questions. They have remained mysteries since the dawn of time. But just maybe the FAST Telescope will provide the answers. The most powerful telescope in the world was built in a remote area of China. It has already received signals from many light years away. The FAST Telescope is a marvel of engineering. It is no wonder that millions of people have flocked to the area to feast their eyes upon it and learn all about it. But readers need not visit China to catch a glimpse and find out more. They can do that just by opening this book. What is in these pages is truly remarkable.

“The world’s largest and most powerful radio telescope is on display in this volume from the Engineering Feats series (6 titles). The Five-Hundred-Meter Aperture Spherical Telescope, or FAST telescope, was completed in 2016 and fills a remote basin in southeast China. Designed to detect pulsars and (potentially) alien life, its cutting-edge design features a flexible dish built on a mesh cable frame. Over five chapters, the book discusses the telescope’s significance and construction, the impact of its being a tourist attraction, and its place within the international scientific community. Aside from an inaccurate description of dark matter, there is a lot of information to be gleaned from this book. Fact boxes and numerous photos lend context, and helpful back matter includes a list of the book’s key points and a time line.” --Booklist, March 15, 2018, Julia Smith