China's pioneering dark energy radio detection project, the Tianlai experimental array, has officially joined the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) international mega radio astronomy project as a certified SKA Pathfinder, as announced by the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Monday.
The SKA Pathfinder program, alongside precursor initiatives, integrates cutting-edge scientific installations from around the globe into SKA's realm of scientific and technological innovation.
While the SKA construction is underway, the latest research from these pathfinder projects continues to offer new scientific exploration opportunities and test novel detection technologies for SKA. Furthermore, these technologies can be applied to even larger future telescope projects.
Located at an observation station in Hami, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Tianlai project is led by the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, aiming to test key technologies for detecting dark energy through radio observations.
Current astronomical observations suggest that approximately 70 percent of the universe consists of dark energy, a mysterious force driving the accelerated expansion of the cosmos.
The Tianlai project has completed two types of array telescopes. One is a cylindrical radio array with three cylindrical reflector antennas equipped with 96 feeds. The other is a dish array comprising 16 parabolic antennas, each with a 6-meter diameter. These arrays can be used to test detection technologies related to neutral hydrogen survey experiments, which can then be applied to the international SKA project.
China's pioneer in dark energy detection certified as SKA Pathfinder
Residents of Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, gathered at the Embassy of Azerbaijan on Thursday to pay tribute to the victims of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash, leaving behind a trail of flowers, candles, and heartfelt messages.
The Embraer 190 aircraft, flight J2-8243, crashed near Aktau Airport in Kazakhstan on Wednesday after taking off from Baku en route to Grozny
Of the 67 people on board, 38 were killed in the crash, and 29 survivors including two children were pulled from the wreckage, Kazakh authorities said on Wednesday.
In a display of solidarity, residents gathered to pay their respects to the victims of the plane crash, laying flowers and presenting mementos as a symbol of their sorrow and sympathy
"It is such a tragedy. Fortunately, we can unite and remove boundaries between our nationalities. I think such moments deserve special attention. Not forgetting that, first and foremost, we are human beings," said a resident.
The Embassy of Azerbaijan flew its national flag at half-mast in respect of those who lost their lives in the tragic plane crash
Foreign diplomats visited the embassy to convey their condolences and observed a moment of silence in honor of the victims. They also recorded messages of sympathy in a special condolence book, expressing wishes for strength and resilience.
"A friend who helps in times of need is a friend indeed. We have seen the solidarity of the people of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Every day we receive letters of condolences to the Azerbaijani people via email. I'd like to express my condolences to the government of Kazakhstan, because six citizens of Kazakhstan also died in the crash," said Agalar Atamoglanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan.
"Azerbaijan sees Kazakhstan's quick response and assistance in the current difficult situation. As you know, our head of state expressed condolences and issued very serious instructions to provide maximum assistance to the survivors and to carry out all necessary work at the crash site," said Roman Vasilenko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan.
Medical teams in Kazakhstan have conducted thorough assessments of the survivors' physical conditions and are working tirelessly to provide the necessary medical treatment and care to ensure their recovery.
In the aftermath of the plane crash, Kazakhstan has set up a government committee to investigate the cause of the tragedy, with investigators and criminologists working to piece together the events leading up to the crash.
Astana residents pay tribute to Azerbaijan Airlines crash victims
