Source: Science and Technology Daily
Science and Technology Daily reporter Zhang Yun
On the 25th, the reporter learned from the Lenghu Astronomical Observation Base that Shanghai Jiao Tong University plans to build a large-aperture multi-functional spectral telescope with an aperture of 4.4 meters at the Lenghu Astronomical Observation Base in Qinghai Province - "Jiaotong University Spectroscopic Telescope" (Jiaotong University Spectroscopic Telescope, JUST). The JUST site will be located in the Saishiteng Mountain of Lenghu Lake, Qinghai, China, and the telescope has the advantages of large aperture, strong light collection capacity and fast response. After the completion of the project, it is expected to achieve a series of breakthrough research results with significant impact in the fields of time-domain astronomy, exoplanet search, and cosmic network structure and evolution.
According to the plan, JUST is expected to be completed and put into use in 2026, and carry out characteristic spectral observations around scientific goals such as cosmic grid structure, multi-messenger astronomy, and exoplanet exploration as planned. At that time, JUST will be the most powerful spectral telescope in China for a long time, and will work closely with the Mozi Survey Telescope and the upcoming China Survey Space Telescope (CSST) to provide indispensable first-hand observation data for the development of astronomy in China.
It is reported that the telescope project will cooperate with the Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics and Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the University of Science and Technology of China and other units. After the completion of the project, research work will be carried out in three characteristic directions: exploring the dark universe, tracking the dynamic universe, and searching for exoplanets.
The telescope adopts R-C optical system and splicing thin mirror technology, the primary mirror is spliced by 18 hexagonal sub-mirrors, each sub-mirror has a diagonal size of 1.1 meters, and the active optical technology is used for real-time closed-loop control during operation. The telescope optics are equipped with two Nay foci and two coke-resistant platforms for placing scientific instruments.
After completion, the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Spectroscopic Telescope will carry out research work in three characteristic directions: exploring the dark universe, configuring a multi-fiber spectrometer (2000 fibers, spectral resolution R=4000-5000), conducting spectral survey observations of galaxy clusters and galaxies in the structure of the cosmic network, and drawing high-resolution precision sky maps of the large-scale structure of the universe; tracking the dynamic universe, configuring an integrated field of view unit (IFU) array composed of 500 optical fibers and/ Or a fast-response long-slit spectrometer for follow-up spectral observation of a large number of temporary sources to carry out multi-messenger astronomical research, and a high-resolution spectrometer (R~100000) is equipped to conduct spectral monitoring of multiple bright stars at the same time, so as to detect Jupiters and terrestrial planets around the stars.
JUST will be installed at point B at an altitude of 4,322 meters above sea level on the Seshten Mountains. At present, the largest dome is at point C at an altitude of 4,200 meters, and it is the 2.5-meter Mozi Survey Telescope, which is used for time-domain image surveys. Photo courtesy of Chen Bin
JUST overall concept scheme diagram using R-C optical system. The primary mirror is composed of 18 sub-mirrors spliced together, with a clear aperture of about 4.4 meters. In the center of the primary mirror (gray part) is a rotatable three-stage mirror, a folding mirror, which is used to quickly switch between two Naysl focal points. Courtesy of Shanghai Jiao Tong University