Chapter 490 Sky Eye Telescope, insight into time and space! Physics and astronomy are the universe! Great ambition!
February 15, 1922.
Astronomers from dozens of countries around the world gathered in Rome to participate in the first plenary session of the International Astronomical Union.
This is not only the highest-level conference in the astronomy community, but also a feast in the scientific field.
For a time, the whole of Rome was in an atmosphere of joy and celebration.
This conference allowed everyone to appreciate the stunning charm of this thousand-year-old city.
This meeting was held in the National Museum of Rome.
This museum is located in the heart of Rome.
It displays the history and culture of Rome from prehistoric times to the Roman Empire.
A large number of precious cultural relics and restored scenes can help people understand the development of Roman civilization.
Italian officials chose this meeting place as a way to show off and publicize.
There is also a huge conference room in the museum, enough to accommodate hundreds of astronomers.
Not far from the museum, there is one of the most luxurious hotels in Rome, the Hassler Hotel.
Li Qiwei, Gao Lu and others from China stayed here.
The day before, Yu Qingsong arrived in Rome with Hubble and others.
As a result, the Chinese delegation was all present.
8 a.m., at the hotel entrance.
Li Qiwei led everyone on foot from the hotel to the meeting location, chatting while walking.
There was a smile on everyone's face.
Gao Lu said excitedly:
"Qiwei, we have received the telescope from the American Astronomical Society."
"This really solves the urgent need for domestic astronomy research."
Ridgway's previous trip to the United States had made the Debate of the Century famous.
At the same time, it also greatly promoted the strength of American astronomy.
Reciprocity of courtesy and worldliness.
The American Astronomical Society donated a batch of brand-new telescopes to China.
These telescopes are mid-range in the United States and are far from comparable to those at the Mount Wilson Observatory.
But for China, these telescopes are definitely high-precision equipment.
After Gao Lu and others got it, they held it like a treasure. They kept rubbing it and couldn't put it down.
"Oh my god, look at the stars with this telescope, why are they so bright!"
"Oh my God! I can see the surface of the moon clearly."
"There are so many potholes, but there are no Chang'e and Jade Rabbit."
Li Qiwei became interested and asked with a smile:
"Oh?"
"It seems that Professor Haer and the others are quite interesting."
"What is the diameter of the telescope sent by the United States?"
Gao Lu made a gesture with his right hand and said enviously:
"The best caliber is 80 centimeters, and I gave away 3 of them."
"The Yankees are really rich!"
"It is very difficult to make a telescope of this level, so just give it away."
The glass and metal required for the telescope cannot be met by ordinary processes.
With the current level of technology in China, even with the technical support of Li Qiwei's company.
For such high-end materials, there is still nothing we can do for the time being.
However, Li Qiwei curled his lips after hearing this.
"I thought I could give you a 1.5 meter one."
When Gao Lu and others heard this, they all smiled bitterly.
They felt that Professor Li's appetite was too big.
There are probably only a few such ultra-high-end telescopes in the United States, so how could they be given away to others?
At this time, Li Qiwei said domineeringly:
"Don't worry."
"In more than ten years, I will build you a 20-meter telescope, which will far exceed the 2-meter telescope in the United States."
Gao Lu and others were simply shocked.
Oh my God!
A 20-meter diameter is too exaggerated, right?
How big is this telescope?
Chang Fuyuan and Jiang Bingran took a breath of air.
"My dear, with such a large caliber, how far can it see?"
"This is not much different from the divine eye of Erlang God in mythology."
"Just scan the sky and you will find the latest results."
Yu Qingsong will graduate from the University of Pittsburgh this year.
On Ridgway's recommendation, he would go to Mount Wilson Observatory to study for a doctorate under the guidance of Hale.
After graduating with his Ph.D., he immediately returned to China and started a domestic astronomy career.
Gao Lu had high hopes for him.
He pushed up his glasses and analyzed carefully:
"For a telescope of this size, I'm afraid the lens can only be made of polished metal."
"It should be impossible for glass technology to create glass that large and keep it flat."
Chang Jiang and Chang Jiang didn't know how powerful they were, but Yu Qingshuo's current level had already surpassed them.
Gao Lu nodded and said:
"Yes."
"The cost of using glass is too high. If there is a flaw, the mirror will be useless."
"The large-area metal polishing technology is relatively mature."
"Of course, it is still unimaginably difficult to build a 20-meter caliber."
Li Qiwei listened to everyone's discussion and smiled slightly.
The caliber of only 20 meters scared them.
Later China's "Sky Eye" radio telescope had an incredible aperture of 500 meters.
What is this concept?
It’s as big as 30 football fields!
A telescope with such a large aperture can receive even the weakest electromagnetic waves.
Any disturbance in the universe cannot escape the observation of the eye of the sky.
It is not an exaggeration to say that it is an insight into the long flow of time.
Therefore, the first goal of the Sky Eye Telescope is to explore the origin and evolution of the universe, and the second is to find aliens.
Everyone was thinking about the future of Chinese literature and soon arrived at the entrance of the National Museum of Rome.
At this moment, the scene can be described as a sea of people.
When Li Qiwei and his team appeared, they immediately became the focus of the audience.
Augusto, the president of the Italian Astronomical Society, looked surprised and stepped forward quickly.
Although the Italian Astronomical Society was only established a few years ago, its predecessor, the Italian Association of Spectroscopists, was established very early.
As you can tell from the name, this association of spectroscopists actually studies the spectra of stars.
It can only be regarded as a branch of astronomy.
This is the helplessness of small countries. There is simply not enough soil to train scientists in all fields.
With the establishment of the International Astronomical Union, in order to integrate Italy with international standards, the Association of Spectroscopists was naturally changed to the Astronomical Society.
Augusto was an Italian physicist and astronomer and the first president.
He is just 40 years old this year, and his academic level can only be considered average internationally.
But today, as Italy is the host, it is normal for him to come forward to receive all the astronomy experts who have come from afar.
Seeing the idol Li Qiwei, Augusto said excitedly:
"Professor Bruce, you are finally here!"
“The speech at the University of Rome was really wonderful!”
"I think all teachers and students in Italy are probably looking forward to your answer."
"Today's meeting will definitely attract the attention of the world."
Li Qiwei put on a tall hat and smiled happily.
"Thank you for your support of the Astronomical Congress."
Immediately, accompanied by Augusto, Li Qiwei entered the museum.
Since the meeting started at 9 o'clock, everyone still had time to visit various cultural relics in the museum.
As soon as Li Qiwei came in, he was pulled over by Haer, Dyson and other big guys. Gao Lu and others were left to make their own arrangements.
Looking at the dazzling array of strange Roman cultural relics in front of him, Gao Lu sighed:
"The period from the royal government to the empire in ancient Rome probably corresponds to the period from the Spring and Autumn Period to the Han Dynasty in China."
"Looking at the craftsmanship of these cultural relics, you can see how China was leading the world at that time."
Yu Qingsong and others nodded in unison.
This place claims to be home to the splendid cultural relics of ancient Rome, but compared with China at the same time, it is nothing like clouds and mud.
The Spring and Autumn Period was a peak period in the history of Chinese thought and even the history of world thought!
Yu Qingsong said:
"However, when Westerners mastered the power of technology, their progress was too fast."
"It is extremely difficult for us in China to transform. Moreover, we are faced with the restrictive thinking of the Qing Dynasty, which makes it even worse."
"If Professor Li hadn't come out of nowhere, I really can't imagine what China's scientific field would be like now."
Several people have answers in their hearts.
"At least for today's meeting, China is not qualified to participate at all."
Please...you...collect 6...9...books...!
Soon, with a reminder, everyone stopped visiting and walked towards the conference hall.
9 a.m., inside the National Museum of Rome, Italy.
The first plenary session of the International Astronomical Union has officially begun.
In the venue with hundreds of people, order was orderly.
The attendees wore finely tailored tuxedos, held pens and papers, and looked focused and solemn.
Sitting in the front row were Li Qiwei, Haer and other big shots.
Everyone's faces were full of anticipation.
Augusto served as host.
It was his first time hosting such a high-level meeting, and he seemed slightly nervous.
There is no humorous style, but the content is announced strictly.
"According to the resolution of the Executive Committee, the process of this meeting is as follows:"
"The first day of academic exchange activities."
“We have invited a total of 10 scholar representatives as guest speakers at the conference.”
"Due to time constraints, please control the reporting time of each person within half an hour."
“The federation’s re-election and group discussions will be held the next day.”
"The main discussion is on the selection of candidates for various positions in the federation."
"At the same time, we will discuss the establishment of various professional groups."
"According to the proposal of the Executive Committee, the International Astronomical Union will have several professional groups."
"Such as star groups, galaxy groups, surveying groups, etc."
"Please discuss the specific content in detail the next day."
"The advantage of grouping is that we can hold several symposiums and symposiums in the future."
“The triennial conference mainly discusses the overall development of the federation.”
Wow!
There was a burst of exclamation from the audience.
The proposal of federation grouping is so right.
Today, the research scope of astronomy is very broad.
It’s hard to find that kind of super all-rounder again.
Those who study stars may not know about comets and planets.
Those who study spectra will not delve into the motion of galaxies, etc.
Therefore, the establishment of professional groups is very necessary.
Otherwise, in the future, we cannot call all astronomers together for a meeting to discuss a star issue.
This is a huge waste of resources.
Everyone seems to have seen the future of astronomy's booming development.
Finally, Augusto said:
"Now, I would like to invite Professor Bruce, President of the International Astronomical Union, to deliver the opening speech."
There was neat and grand applause in the venue.
Under the gaze of everyone, Li Qiwei walked onto the stage.
"I believe many people have heard the news."
"Yes, at this conference, I will resign as president of the International Astronomical Union."
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a slight discussion in the audience.
Obviously, the news had already spread.
That's why everyone won't be so shocked.
Besides, it was only a matter of time.
Professor Bruce still has to overcome the ultimate problem of physics.
"However, this does not mean that I will break away from the study of astronomy."
"With the rapid development of quantum theory and relativity theory, I gradually had a hunch."
"I think that in the near future, the cutting edge of astronomy and the cutting edge of physics are likely to merge into one."
"Many years ago, I told Hubble that we could consider combining astronomy and physics."
"Later general relativity and nuclear fusion proved my conjecture."
"But this is not enough."
"The universe is made up of space-time and matter."
"Its ultimate secret must also be hidden in time, space and matter."
"The theory of relativity currently only describes the nature of space and time."
"But we know very little about the nature of matter."
"This is the domain of quantum theory."
"How come protons, neutrons, and electrons are so tiny that they can form a huge universe."
"There must be a deeper truth here."
"My goal is to build a bridge between astronomy and physics research."
"The moment when the ultimate truth of physics is realized is the moment when the secrets of the universe in astronomy are revealed."
"That day will definitely not last long!"
"Physical astronomy is the universe!"
boom!
The brief speech was so inspiring that the venue was immediately boiling.
At this moment, everyone understood Professor Bruce's majestic ambition.
The big guys said excitedly:
"Professor Bruce stepped down as chairman of the federation not to evade responsibility, but to take the initiative to shoulder greater responsibilities."
"He actually wants to unify astronomy and physics!"
"What an ambition!"
"Physics and astronomy are the universe! This sentence is so shocking!"
All the astronomers present were deeply touched by the last sentence.
The core theories of astronomy are based on physics.
Therefore, many people regard it as a branch of physics.
But this is not the case. The two are subjects at the same level.
Even according to Professor Bruce, there is only one discipline in the world.
That is: cosmology!
Astronomy and physics are both branches of cosmology.
Their ultimate goal is to explore the mysteries of the universe.
In Chinese terms, there are three thousand avenues, different paths leading to the same destination.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the venue was directly pushed to a climax.
Everyone looked at Professor Bruce with enthusiasm.
That man's way of demagogueing people is really terrible.
Just a few words can make people scream in excitement.
He vindicated astronomy!
Astronomers are not fortune tellers who just look at the stars.
Like physicists, they study the ultimate truth.
And starting today, astronomy will enter a new future!
(End of chapter)