China's 'FAST' telescope to get new receiver: Report
Beijing, May 21: China's five hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) -- the world's largest single-dish radio telescope -- will have a new receiver installed to boost its efficiency in surveying the sky, the media reported.
The 19-beam L-band receiver, first of its kind worldwide, is expected to be put into use in early June and it will increase FAST's survey speed by five to six times, Xinhua news agency reported.
The receiver was jointly developed by scientists from China and Australia. It weighs 1.2 tonne and costs about $3.14 million.
According to Jin Chengjin, chief engineer of FAST's receiver system, the new receiver is highly sensitive and will greatly improve FAST's efficiency in searching for new pulsars and spectral lines.
Its tasks include observation of pulsars, exploration of interstellar molecules, and monitoring interstellar communication signals, the report said.
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Adityanath govt has completely failed to maintain Taj Mahal, alleges Akhilesh
Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday raised questions over maintenance of the Taj Mahal in Agra and attacked the Yogi Adityanath government saying it should be a "living and active" example, not just a "monument".
Yadav, who shared a viral video in which a plant could be seen sprouting from the dome of the Taj Mahal, said the monument might develop cracks due to the roots.
In a post on X, he said, "The BJP government and its dormant departments have completely failed to maintain the Taj Mahal, the wonder that attracts tourists from all over the world."
Yadav went on to say, "There is a possibility of rusting of the metal of the urn on the main dome. Water is dripping from the main dome. There is news of plants growing in the dome. If the roots of trees like these grow, then the Taj Mahal may crack."
He also highlighted problems of monkey menace and water logging in the Taj Mahal complex.
"The Taj Mahal complex has become a sanctuary for monkeys. There is a problem of waterlogging in the Taj Mahal complex. The tourists are worried whether they should admire the Taj Mahal or deal with the problems," Yadav said, adding due to all these reasons, the country's image is tarnished at the global level.
Last week, the main dome of the Taj witnessed water seepage due to incessant rains but officials said there was no damage to the arched roof.
Yadav asked where crores of rupees of funds that come for the maintenance of Taj Mahal are going.
"The government should be a living and active example, not just a monument," he added.
