The search for extraterrestrial intelligence will take an enormous step forward in September when a massive new telescope in China joins in on the hunt for aliens. Following a lengthy period of construction and testing, the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) became fully operational earlier this year. And, in a few short months, the telescope will reportedly start scouring space for possible signs of ET life.

FAST's chief scientist Zhang Tongjie announced the timetable this week and stressed that the endeavor will not interfere with any other projects being done by the facility, which include detecting fast radio bursts and other intriguing space oddities. While the monstrous facility stands as the world's largest telescope, Tongjie cautioned that people should temper their expectations as any discovery of an intriguing signal would require rigorous testing before being declared 'the one.'

More on this story at the Coast to Coast AM website.

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