科学家计划在月球远端架设新型望远镜

钟翠频 黄连英

American scientists are working to develop a telescope to deploy on the moon. The telescope is designed to search for ancient radio waves that could provide important details about the early universe.

The telescope will be the first designed to collect data on a historical period of the universe called the Dark Ages. This period is considered important to study because it can provide new details about the formation and development of the universe.

The telescope is to be placed on what is known as the far side of the moon. This description came about because that side of the moon cannot be seen from Earth. The area does experience its own day and night cycle.

The far side of the moon enjoys radio silence compared to Earth， which experiences so much radio wave traffic that is considered noise “pollution.” It offers an unusual environment that permits researchers to record sensitive radio signals. Team members say such signals cannot be captured anywhere else in near-Earth space.

Anze Slosar is a physicist with the Department of Energys Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York. “So far， we can only make predictions about earlier stages of the universe using a benchmark called the cosmic microwave background，” Slosar said. He noted that the new telescope would provide a new benchmark， opening the door for scientists to make further important discoveries about the universe.

After touching down on the moon， the telescopes lander will turn off permanently so it does not produce any wave interference. The telescope will then deploy four three-meter-long antennas. The instrument must survive the severe conditions existing on the moons far side. Scientists on Earth will have to wait 40 days for the telescope to collect and send its first data to a satellite that can communicate with Earth.

Researchers leading the project say multiple big discoveries could be made in the future with the lunar telescope.

（材料出自“51VOA”網站，有删改）

1. Which of the following isnt true about the telescope？

A. Its designed to search for radio waves at present.

B. It will be used to collect data on the Dark Ages.

C. It will be placed on the far side of the moon.

D. Itll be helpful for scientists to understand the universe better.

2. Why will the telescope be placed on the far side of the moon？

A. Because that side of the moon cannot be seen from Earth.

B. Because it has its own day and night cycle.

C. Because sensitive radio signals can be captured easily there.

D. Because there is so much radio wave traffic there.

3. What dos the author mainly tell us in the last but second paragraph？

A. What the telescope will collect .

B. How the telescope will work.

C. Why the telescope will be used.

D. Why the lander will turn off.

4. Which column might the article be in a magazine？

A. Education and Culture. B. Sports and Health.

C. Human and Nature.D. Science and Technology.

1. A。解析：细节理解题。根据材料第二段第一个句子，我们可知B选项是正确的，故排除；根据材料第三段第一个句子，我们可知C选项是正确的，故排除；根据材料第五段最后一句中的“opening the door for scientists to make further important discoveries about the universe”，我们可知D选项是正确的，故排除；根据材料第一段最后一句中的“to search for ancient radio waves”，我们可知该望远镜的设计目的是寻找古老的无线电波，A选项与原文内容不符，故选A。

2. C。解析：细节理解题。根据材料第三段第二个和第三个句子“This description came about because that side of the moon cannot be seen from Earth. The area does experience its own day and night cycle.”，我们可知A、B选项都是在解释那个地区为什么叫月球远端，故排除；根据材料第四段第二个句子“...that permits researchers to record sensitive radio signals.”，我们可知在月球远端敏感的无线电信号能被捕捉到。故选C。

3. B。解析：推理判断题。材料倒数第二段提到：在接触到月球表面之后，该望远镜的着陆器将永久关闭，以免产生任何波纹干扰。然后，该望远镜将部署4根3米长的天线。该仪器必须能够在月球远端的严酷环境中生存。地球上的科学家将不得不等待40天，以便望远镜收集第一批數据，然后发送给可以与地球通信的卫星。因而，此段讲的是望远镜的工作过程。故选B。

4. D。解析：推理判断题。文章是围绕“美国科学家正致力于开发一款部署到月球上的新型望远镜”展开论述的，所以最有可能出现在杂志的科技栏目。故选D。