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The FAST telescope and its possible contribution to high precision astrometry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 2007

C. J. Jin ,
R. D. Nan  and
H. Q. Gan
C. J. Jin
Affiliation:
National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of SciencesChaoyang District, Datun Road, A.20, Beijing 100012, China email: [email protected]
R. D. Nan
Affiliation:
National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of SciencesChaoyang District, Datun Road, A.20, Beijing 100012, China email: [email protected]
H. Q. Gan
Affiliation:
National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of SciencesChaoyang District, Datun Road, A.20, Beijing 100012, China email: [email protected]
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Abstract

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In this report we give a brief introduction to the Five hundred meter Apeture Spherical Telescope (FAST). Some possible contributions of FAST to high precision astrometry are discussed. The illuminated aperture of FAST in normal operation mode is 300m in diameter. With special feeding mechanism, the whole 500m aperture could be used. FAST will cover frequencies from 70MHz to 3GHz, and observe at zenith angle of up to 40 degrees without a notable gain loss. As the most sensitive single dish radio telescope, FAST would be able to discover more mega-masers and measure the radial velocities of masers with higher precision. This may yield more delicate dynamics of their maser spots. FAST will increase the precision of time of arrival (ToA) measurements for pulsars. This will help in detecting the stochastic gravitational wave background and in establishing an independent timing standard based on the long-term stability of the rotations of a group of millisecond pulsars. FAST might also work as a very powerful ground station for the future space missions. In a three-way communication mode, FAST should be able to provide precise ranging and Doppler measurements. Moreover, by joining the international VLBI network, FAST would help to improve the precision of the VLBI astrometry measurements.

Keywords

telescopesmaserspulsars: generalgravitational wavesreference systems
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 3 , Symposium S248: A Giant Step: from Milli- to Micro-arcsecond Astrometry , October 2007 , pp. 178 - 181
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2008

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