Nan Rendong , a famous astronomer, researcher at the National Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and people's scientist. The main initiator and founder of " China Sky Eye " is known as the "Father of China Sky Eye".
Nan Rendong was born on February 19, 1945 in Liaoyuan City, Jilin Province. In 1963, 18-year-old Nan Rendong was admitted to the Radio Department of Tsinghua University with excellent college entrance examination results.
In 1987, Nan Rendong graduated from the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and received a Master of Science and a PhD.
In 1993, at the International Radio Science Union Conference in Japan, scientists proposed building a new generation of radio telescopes to receive more messages from outer space. Nan Rendong said to his colleagues: "Let's build one too."
In July 1994, the 500-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) project concept was proposed.
In order to select the site for the 500-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) project, Nan Rendong and his team spent 12 years, carrying more than 300 satellite remote sensing images, traveling over mountains and ridges, and without fear of hardship, they successively compared the mountains in southwest China. There are more than 1,000 depressions in the area.
finally determined the best location for the 500-meter aperture spherical radio telescope - the Dawodang depression in Pingtang County, Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province.
In 2012, the FAST973 project was officially launched, and Nan Rendong personally guided the project establishment and organization and implementation.
In September 2016, just before the "China Sky Eye" was about to be completed and opened, Nan Rendong had suffered from lung cancer and his health was deteriorating.
In order to witness the completion of the Sky Eye project that took 22 years of hard work, he still stayed on the front line of work despite the fatigue and physical discomfort.
September 25, 2016, this special day will be remembered forever. The "China Sky Eye" project was finally completed and started to receive electromagnetic waves from the depths of the universe.
On September 15, 2017, Nan Rendong, a great master of clairvoyance, passed away due to illness at the age of 72 after completing the great cause he had worked for all his life.
On October 15, 2018, the National Astronomical Observatory officially named the asteroid numbered "79694" as " Nanrendongxing". From then on, there was an extra star in the sky, called "Nanren East Star".
In November 2018, Nan Rendong was selected as one of the "100 Outstanding Contributors to Reform and Opening Up".
On September 17, 2019, the country awarded Nan Rendong the national honorary title of "People's Scientist".
In twenty-three years, Nan Rendong, from his prime to his twilight years, worked hard and selflessly to turn a simple idea into a powerful weapon of the country, realizing China's dream of having a world-class telescope.
Nan Rendong is indifferent to fame and fortune and treats people sincerely. He dedicated his whole life to the China Sky Eye Project. We young people should draw spiritual strength from Nan Rendong, work hard to learn scientific and cultural knowledge, and be determined to contribute to the development of the motherland.
