Chinese and South African astronomers have achieved a breakthrough in mapping the Milky Way's ancient structures through a landmark collaboration between two of the world's most advanced radio telescopes. Using China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) and South Africa's MeerKAT array, researchers observed 43 pulsars across eight globular clusters – dense stellar systems dating back billions of years.
The project, led by Tsinghua University, combined FAST's unmatched sensitivity to faint signals with MeerKAT's wide-area tracking capabilities. Professor Li Di explained: "By synchronizing equipment across hemispheres, we've more than doubled our observational sample while achieving unprecedented measurement precision."
Key findings published this week reveal seven clusters with no detectable ionized gas – a discovery Li describes as a "dust-free realm" challenging existing models of cosmic evolution. Researchers speculate that energetic stellar remnants like white dwarfs might be actively clearing interstellar material through radiation.
The collaboration opens new pathways for studying:
Cosmic magnetic field strength through polarization measurements
Interstellar turbulence patterns
Potential signals of extraterrestrial civilizations
This joint effort demonstrates how international partnerships can push the boundaries of astronomical research, particularly in analyzing the Milky Way's oldest celestial bodies.
