Southwest China's Guizhou province recently updated its regulations to control electromagnetic interference (EMI) around the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST). The new regulations will take effect on April 1.

FAST is located in Pingtang county, Qiannan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture, Guizhou, and is the world's largest and most advanced filled-aperture radio telescope.

The telescope relies on weak electromagnetic signals from space to aid in scientific research. Thus, it requires very low levels of EMI to work properly.

The Guizhou government releases the latest version of EMI control regulations for FAST. [Photo/gog.cn]

To ensure that FAST is able to function properly, radio stations, electronic products, industrial, scientific, and medical equipment, high voltage substations, overhead high voltage transmission lines above 110 kilovolts, airports, electric railways, expressways, and other facilities are not allowed within a certain distance of the telescope.

The regulations establish rules for traveling, visiting, inspections, and science awareness events within 5-kilometers of FAST. They also enhance the management of radio facilities within a 30-kilometer area around the telescope.

Jiang Peng, chief engineer of FAST, stresses how important restricting EMI is to the operation of FAST. [Photo/gog.cn]

Radio administration organizations are in charge of the construction of electromagnetic environmental monitoring facilities for FAST and for protective monitoring of the frequency bands required by the telescope.

According to the new regulations, the maximum penalty for EMI in the restricted area has increased from 5,000 ($744) to 200,000 yuan. Any use of electronic products or electromagnetic wave facilities without authorization will result in a fine of 1,000 to 30,000 yuan.

FAST is located in Pingtang county, Qiannan Bouyei and Miao autonomous prefecture, Guizhou, and is the world's largest and most advanced filled-aperture radio telescope. [Photo/gog.cn]