According to China Central Television (CCTV), the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China reveals that China will make the world's biggest telescope which will allow it to expand its scope of astronomical observation to the edge of the universe and look for celestial bodies of the first generation. The telescope to be built in Guizhou Province is one of the 12 large-scale scientific projects that China plans to invest 6 billion yuan to build during its 11th Five-Year Plan.

The 12 scientific projects are relating to astronomy, biology, high energy physics and other basic scientific research areas. Construction of spallation neutron sources is the most expensive one of the 12 scientific projects, in which China will spend 1.2 billion yuan. The spallation neutron sources can produce a large number of high-speed neutrons. With these neutrons, scientists are able to get internal properties of substances which scientists cannot grasp by means of regular scientific devices. It will offer a great help to develop high-performance materials. Among these projects, China will build a 4000-ton comprehensive marine research ship and an aerial remote sensing system that can quickly monitor floods, earthquake and other unexpected natural disasters.

All of the 12 scientific projects will be launched this year and are expected to be completed basically within five years.

By People's Daily Online