Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics (RAA)

"The Science Potential of the Next Giant Telescope - FAST" The National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC), has started building the largest antenna in the world. Known as FAST, the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (http://radio973.bao.ac.cn) is a Chinese mega-science project funded by the National Development and Reform Commission with a capital budget of ~700 million RMB. FAST also represents part of the Chinese contribution to the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project. Upon commencement of its operation, expected in September, 2016, FAST will be the most sensitive single-dish radio telescope in the low frequency radio bands between 70 MHz and 3 GHz. The design specifications of FAST, its expected capabilities and main scientific aspirations have been described in an overview by Nan et al. (2011; arxiv:1105.3794). The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), through a grant from the 973 program, is supporting the science preparation effort. To help formulate key programs for the FAST project, papers are sought to be published in a special issue of RAA entitled “The Science Potential of the Next Giant Telescope - FAST”. The papers in the special issue should be original and go through an independent peer review. The special issue will be published in the December issue of RAA. The authors of these papers will manage teams focusing on science areas related to the upcoming call for key programs. Professor John Dickey of Australia will serve as the guest editor for the Special Issue.