China has begun construction of two advanced telescopes in Lenghu, Qinghai, marking a major leap in the country’s precision astronomical observation capabilities.
According to China News Service, on Saturday (June 21), the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences held a groundbreaking ceremony on Saishiteng Mountain, at an altitude of 4,312 meters in Lenghu, Qinghai, for the 4.2-meter ground-based dedicated astrometric telescope and the 2.5-meter multi-terminal general-purpose telescope projects.
Once completed, these two telescopes will form an internationally advanced ground-based optical precision observation system, bringing about a major leap in China’s precision astrometric observation capabilities. They will provide powerful and high-precision observational support for China’s practical astronomical research and the development of the country as a major aerospace power.
The 4.2-meter ground-based dedicated astrometric telescope is the largest astrometric telescope in China and also the country’s first 4-meter-class single-mirror astronomical telescope. This telescope features a large-aperture single mirror, ultra-low distortion imaging, extremely high positional accuracy, and a very deep detection limit. Its main scientific goal is to conduct high-precision positional, motion, and characteristic measurements of faint and moving solar system objects, to support the autonomous construction and long-term maintenance of China’s solar system ephemeris, and to serve the ground-based observation needs of China’s space missions and deep-space exploration. The telescope is expected to be completed in 2027 and will become the world’s largest solar system object precision measurement telescope, providing core support for China’s high-precision observation and research of solar system objects.
The 2.5-meter multi-terminal general-purpose telescope is a medium-aperture precision measurement telescope featuring multiple terminals, multifunctionality, and various applications to meet different types of observational needs. Its primary scientific goal is to carry out multi-wavelength, multi-type precision measurements of both natural and artificial solar system bodies, coordinate the autonomous construction and long-term maintenance of China’s solar system ephemeris, and serve major national strategic needs such as cislunar space security and protection of space assets. This telescope is expected to be completed in 2026 and will be China’s largest coaxial transmit-receive laser ranging telescope.
Saishiteng Mountain in Lenghu Town, Mangya City, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, boasts exceptional natural conditions. The Lenghu area is sparsely populated and has almost no light pollution, making it a first-class observation site with outstanding seeing conditions.