Muscat: China has launched the construction of a new large astronomical observation project, the Xue-shan-mu-chang 15-meter SubMillimeter Telescope (XSMT).
According to Oman News Agency, the project aims to enhance China’s capabilities in exploring the universe by establishing a high-precision facility that addresses a notable gap in its existing astronomical infrastructure. Led by the Nanjing-based Purple Mountain Observatory under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the project is scheduled to be completed in 2027.
According to scientists, the site of the telescope is located in the heart of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as “the roof of the world,” featuring conditions such as high altitude, minimal human interference and extremely low water vapor, making it an ideal location for observations.