#MaunaKea has long been regarded as the crown jewel of ground-based #astronomical observation.

🇨🇳 Groundwork, mirror polishing and instrument development are already under way for the 14.5-metre Large Optical Telescope and the 6.5-metre Multiplexed Survey Telescope 🔭 https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3356164/how-china-working-turn-saishiteng-mountain-worlds-largest-astronomy-base

The Tibetan Plateau is the highest plateau on Earth, with an average elevation of over 4,000 metres https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03711-z

🗺️ #Lenghu Astronomical Observing Base https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/1107301909

#Astronomy

China wants to build the world’s largest astronomy base on Saishiteng Mountain

Telescopes at the remote site are set to surpass Hawaii’s Mauna Kea in light-gathering power by the mid-2030s, scientists say.

South China Morning Post

China is quietly preparing to build a gigantic telescope

High on the Tibetan Plateau, China appears to be laying the groundwork for what will be the largest optical telescope in the Northern Hemisphere - and perhaps briefly, in the world.

https://www.science.org/content/article/china-quietly-preparing-build-gigantic-telescope

#Astronomy #China #Tibet #news #Astrodon #Lenghu #observatory #LenghuObservatory #LOTtelescope #science #STEM