Construction underway for cosmic-ray observatory in China

The Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) in Daocheng, southwest China's Sichuan province. [File photo: Chinaplus]

To better study high-energy cosmic rays, construction is underway on a large cosmic-ray observatory on Mt. Haizi near the city of Daocheng, southwest China's Sichuan province.

Located in a mountainous region with an average altitude of around 4,400 meters, the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) will be the first of its kind in China, as well as the largest in the world.

Over the coming 4 years, the observatory will be equipped with thousands of detectors covering a surface area of 1.36 square kilometers. 

The Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) in Daocheng, southwest China's Sichuan province. [File photo: Chinaplus]

LHAASO will be able to detect Gamma rays with unprecedented sensitivity compared to other cosmic ray observatories.

To protect the surrounding environment, replanting operations will take place simultaneously with the construction of LHAASO.

The study of cosmic rays is one of the key ways scientists are using to better understand the origins of our universe.

The Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) in Daocheng, southwest China's Sichuan province. [File photo: Chinaplus]

LHAASO is also going to be used to study high-energy physics and its applications to earth's atmosphere, the environment and weather in China.