China identifies world-class astronomical observation site on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(1/4)

Photo taken on August 12, 2021, shows the splendid Milky Way arches overhead the Lenghu site in northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Photo/Courtesy of Hong Wenhan)

Chinese scientists have identified the Lenghu site, which is located at a summit on Saishiteng Mountain near the town of Lenghu in northwest China's Qinghai Province, could be suitable for the installation of next-generation large telescopes, according to the National Astronomical Observatories under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC).

Scientists from the NAOC spent three years investigating and evaluating the site which sits at an altitude of 4200 meters and the discovery will change the fact that all the world's best optical astronomical observation sites are currently located in the Western Hemisphere.

The announcement was published in the journal Nature.

Photo shows the star trails taken by a mobile phone at the Lenghu site in northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Photo/Courtesy of Deng Licai)

A panoramic view of the Lenghu site after the snow in the winter of 2020 in northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Photo/Courtesy of Deng Licai)

Photo taken on December 20, 2020, shows NAOC members work at the Lenghu site in northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Photo/Courtesy of Tian Cairang)