A telescope in Greenland
James Liao says that the purpose of doing basic research is to satisfy human curiosity. In particular, the nature of the universe has always been a subject of interest for mankind. Curiosity is an important driving force behind the human quest for knowledge and the advance of civilization.
In order to satisfy public curiosity about the universe, on the day of the Open House Johnson Han, associate research engineer in the Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASIAA), explained to visitors that in May of 2017 a multinational team led by researchers at the Academia Sinica had successfully erected the world’s first radio telescope inside the Arctic Circle, in Greenland.
Han explained that the 12-meter Greenland Telescope is a repurposed prototype originally built for the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA). Funded by the US National Science Foundation and other donors, it came at an initial price of US$8 million, and was transported the vast distance from New Mexico in the US to Greenland. To adapt the radio antenna to the freezing climate of the Arctic, where temperatures can go as low as −70°C, an additional five years and US$10 million were invested in refurbishing it. Everything from transportation and installation to final completion of the structure was led by Taiwan, and when you also consider that Taiwan has handled later polar operations and long-distance remote control, the genuine capabilities of Taiwan scientists have been clear for all to see.
The Greenland Telescope has already joined the “Event Horizon Telescope” global array project, whose mission is to observe supermassive black holes. Radio telescopes on different continents can be linked together, as if constructing a super-powerful artificial eye on the surface of the earth. The Greenland Telescope can link up with the ALMA in Chile, forming the longest north-south baseline in the world. This greatly increases the image resolving power, to 1000 times that of the most advanced optical telescopes in existence.
Although there is no direct connection between observing black holes and the daily lives of ordinary people, Johnson Han explains that black holes have previously only existed in theoretical models, with only indirect evidence to prove their presence. Observing black holes doesn’t merely satisfy the curiosity of astronomers and astrophysicists; it can also test Einstein’s theory of general relativity, and is thus of great significance.
Entering its 90th year, the Academia Sinica is stepping out of the ivory tower, though its status as the nation’s flagship for academic research remains unchanged.
Looking to the future, President James C. Liao says, “I hope that scientists doing basic research will feel a sense of mission.” He adds, “First you must let your academic peers and colleagues know that your research has value, is forward-looking, and is creative. Second, you must be responsible to taxpayers, and take the initiative to explain the importance and significance of basic research. Third, you must have a sense of mission for humanity. I hope we can do in-depth research to solve problems facing all of mankind, such as global warming, climate change, and long-term care for the elderly.”
Citizens were able to check out many items of sophisticated instrumentation and equipment at the Academia Sinica on Open House day.
By sharing their research results, researchers spark young students’ curiosity to learn.
Lin Ting-hsien (right) and Chang Yu-chen (left) have organized the team at the “Research for You” website, creating a new image for the Academia Sinica.
At 90 years of age the Academia Sinica, while upholding its spirit of seeking the truth, is gradually being transformed and is shedding its image as an ivory tower.