A Next-Generation Telescope for Space Weather Research

Interplanetary Scintillation Telescope under the Aurora. China's newly operational interplanetary scintillation (IPS) telescope, part of the Meridian Project Phase II, is the world's most sensitive dedicated IPS radio telescope. Located at the Ming’antu Observing Station in Inner Mongolia, the telescope consists of three parabolic cylindrical antennas, each measuring 140 meters (m) × 40m. Operating at frequencies of 327 megahertz (MHz) and 654 MHz, it achieves exceptional sensitivity of approximately 8 millijansky (mJy). Its hybrid design, combining east-west mechanical scanning (±45°) with north-south electronic scanning (±60°), enables a wide field of view, establishing it a cutting-edge facility for IPS research. Credit: Hao Yin