World-Class Observatory Rising on Roof of the World'

摘要

Asian astronomers have long yearned for a premier mountaintop observatory-their own Mauna Kea, the Hawaiian volcano crowned with superb telescopes. After a 2-decade-long search, their hopes are about to be realized. Astronomers have identified a summit on the Ngari Plateau in southwestern Tibet Autonomous Region, near the border with Kashmir, as the likely site for an international observatory. At 5100 meters above sea level, Shiquanhe Observatory would be the highest permanent astronomical perch on Earth's surface.