Exploring the Cosmos: A Brazil-China Collaboration to Unlock Dark Energy Mysteries

Brazil and China are collaborating on the BINGO telescope, a massive radio telescope set to arrive in Paraíba, Brazil, by 2026. Designed to study dark energy and baryon acoustic oscillations, BINGO will help unravel the mysteries of the universe’s expansion and its connection to dark matter. Featuring cutting-edge technology, including 28 antennas, the project also explores fast radio bursts. Supported by global expertise, this partnership highlights innovative engineering and promises groundbreaking insights into the cosmos’ large-scale structure.

A groundbreaking partnership between Brazil and China is set to advance our understanding of the universe, as a colossal telescope, the size of an Olympic pool, embarks on its journey to Brazil. Departing from Tianjin, China, earlier this week, the telescope will reach its destination in Paraíba state on Brazil's eastern coast in approximately two months. Once operational in 2026, this radio telescope will rank among the largest in Latin America.

The chosen site for the telescope, nestled in the remote hills of Paraíba, is located nearly 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) from Brasília. This location was selected for its minimal radio frequency interference, a critical factor for collecting precise data, according to a 2019 report published by the BINGO collaboration.

The BINGO Telescope: A New Frontier in Space Research

Short for "Baryon Acoustic Oscillations from Integrated Neutral Gas Observations," the BINGO project aims to study the large-scale structure of the universe by measuring sound waves known as baryon acoustic oscillations (BAOs). Scientists hope this research will shed light on dark energy, a mysterious force believed to constitute 68% of the universe and drive its accelerating expansion.

Dark energy remains one of the greatest enigmas in astrophysics. According to NASA, it is a repulsive force, often described as antigravity, that defies full explanation. The BINGO project, which has been in development since 2011, aspires to deepen our understanding of this phenomenon and explore its potential links to dark matter. Dark matter, another puzzling component of the cosmos, is thought to make up 27% of the universe. Unlike ordinary matter, it does not interact with light or the electromagnetic field, yet it plays a vital role in holding galaxies together.

A Unique Telescope Design

BINGO's radio dish, measuring 40 meters (131 feet) in length, will feature two reflectors, 28 antennas (referred to as horns), and an array of cutting-edge receivers and analyzers. The telescope's design, spearheaded by scientists from both Brazil and China, incorporates innovative elements that enhance its functionality.

Carlos Alexandre Wuensche de Souza, the principal investigator for BINGO and senior scientist at Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE), emphasized the uniqueness of the telescope's horns. "We have many, many horns looking at the same region in the sky, so we collect more data and can connect this data in an easier way," he explained. "When you can cover a large region of space at the same time, you get more sensitivity."

A Global Collaboration

While the primary collaboration is between Brazil and China, the BINGO project has also involved scientists from Britain, France, Germany, South Africa, and other countries. Wuensche praised the Chinese team's contributions, highlighting their expertise in both science and logistics.

Chinese engineers played a pivotal role in designing and manufacturing the telescope's surface and steel structure. Wu Yang, a senior engineer from the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), explained that the design was optimized for efficient installation in Brazil. The use of panel and spatial truss structures was a deliberate choice to simplify the assembly process and enable mass production.

Unveiling the Universe's Secrets

Beyond its primary mission of studying dark energy, the BINGO telescope will also explore fast radio bursts (FRBs)—brief, intense blasts of radio waves with immense energy output. These phenomena remain poorly understood, and researchers hope the telescope's data will provide insights into their origins and characteristics.

"We do not know what causes them, we do not know the model to explain why they are so bright, so intense, and so short in time," Wuensche noted. By analyzing data collected with BINGO, the scientific community may uncover new physics underlying these mysterious events.

Looking Ahead

The BINGO telescope represents a monumental step forward in space research. Wuensche expressed optimism about the project's potential impact: "If it’s well measured, if we can have good results, maybe we can tell some new things about dark energy. This would be a good contribution. This would be on the news."

As this international collaboration nears completion, the world eagerly awaits the discoveries it promises to deliver—insights that could redefine our understanding of the cosmos.

Source: Adapted from a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP).