Radio silence rules strengthened for huge telescope

China has tightened its regulations in areas surrounding the world's largest single-dish telescope in Guizhou province - the Five-Hundred-Meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope, or FAST - to protect it from electromagnetic signals that might interfere with its scientific research.

The latest rules, which took effect on Monday, increased punishments for violators. Those who produced harmful radio interference can now face fines of up to 200,000 yuan ($30,000), much higher than the previous 5,000 yuan penalty cap.

The new rules also said people who carry or used electronic devices without approval in the core radio silence zone will be slapped with a fine between 1,000 and 30,000 yuan. The core radio silence zone refers to areas within a 5-kilometer radius of the telescope.