A 40-meter-diameter radio telescope on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is expected to be completed by the yearend and start operation early next year.

Located in the Ali prefecture, Xizang autonomous region, the radio telescope will join a network of other stations in Beijing, Shanghai, Jilin, Xinjiang and Yunnan to form China's Very Long Baseline Interferometry system. This integrated network will bolster the country's capabilities in astronomical observation and research.

The Ali prefecture, with an average elevation of 4,500 meters, is an ideal location for the new radio telescope. The rarefied atmosphere and high altitude provide excellent conditions for astronomical observation, minimizing interference from the lower atmosphere.

Stunning images captured by Xinhua photographers showcase the beauty of the telescope against the backdrop of a starry night sky.