In China there was an unexpected problem with the largest radio telescope

The Chinese have built the largest radio telescope, but it there is nobody to runIn 2016 in the Chinese province of Guizhou has commissioned the world’s largest radio telescope with a filled aperture – FAST. Its construction cost $180 million, reports the Chronicle.info with reference on the Main

The size of the reflector object exceeds 500 meters, and the area is about 30 football fields. Watching FAST pulsars, interstellar gas explores and analyzes the objects in the era of reionization (the period from 550 million years to 800 million years after the Big Bang). The radio telescope is working in test mode, but have found 53 star-a pulsar. Its full launch is scheduled for the first half of 2019.

These plans can be broken. The research object has been non-technical problems, writes the South China Morning Post. To FAST are unable to recruit specialists, who will analyze the data.

The radio telescope is located in a mountainous area in the southwest of China, where scientists are reluctant to move. Around it a small village. At the same time, to run FAST from the five-kilometer zone around another and evicted about 9,000 local residents.

See also: Astronomers: the next galaxy “steal” the stars the milky Pathplan employed approximately two dozen research staff, the administration object is not yet fulfilled. In an interview with the local press, the Director of the FAST said that the object is now only working 20 scientists, half of the required composition.

According to the published queries from applicants is required fluency in English and willingness to live long and work in remote areas. They offer about 100,000 yuan ($14 000) per year. This is the contact work, not permanent employment.

Also FAST with 2017 looking for the lead scientist, who will lead the work of the telescope. To cooperation invite foreign specialists, offering a bonus of about $1.2 million in research funds.

Salary, according to the statements of the employer (National astronomical Observatory of China), equal rates for similar positions in Western countries. In addition, the holder of the post will receive various bonuses such as free accommodation. But while that recruiting activity is not successful.