Asia's best astronomical telescope in China by 2012

Shanghai (Chinanews.com) -- China is building what will be Asia's most sophisticated astronomical telescope in Sheshan, Shanghai. By its expected completion at the end of 2012, the observatory will be able to serve lunar explorations and deep space probes, the project's chief scientist Shen Zhiqiang informed CNS on Wednesday.

China's current astronomical observatory facilities are capable of lunar explorations, but insufficiently qualified for deep space probes. The 65m-diameter of the newly-built telescope will allow it to peer as far as Mars, Saturn and Jupiter.

In terms of its combination of properties, the facility is likely to be ranked fourth globally, after the U.S., Germany and Italy.

In 2013, the test phase of the new device will see it join three other astronomical telescopes to capture the traces of lunar satellite Chang'e-3 which is scheduled for launch next year.