中國2020年要發(fā)射“人造月亮”?

Chendu in China is planning to launch an ‘artificial moon’ that will light up the skies as far as 50 miles around.

中國成都計劃發(fā)射一顆“人造月亮”，它將照亮周邊50英里的天空。

The so-called illumination satellite set to deploy over the southwestern city of Chengdu in 2020 is touted to be eight times as bright as the real moon, to cast a ‘dusk-like glow’ over the region.

這顆所謂的照明衛(wèi)星將于2020年部署于成都西南部的上空。據稱它的亮度是真正月亮的8倍，可以為整個地區(qū)提供“黃昏般的微光”。

Officials have released few details on the project, but say the idea pulls inspiration from a French artist who envisioned a necklace of mirrors hanging over Earth.

官方幾乎沒有公布關于這個項目的細節(jié)，但表示該理念的靈感來自一位法國藝術家，這位藝術家曾想象過為地球戴上一條鏡子做成的項鏈。

It will complement the moon to make Chengu’s night skies brighter when it launches in 2020, potentially serving as a replacement to conventional streetlights.

這顆衛(wèi)星于2020年發(fā)射，它將作為月亮的補給，使成都的夜空更加明亮，而且可能會替代傳統的路燈。

The artificial moon can be controlled to light up an area between 10 and 80 kilometers wide(6 to 50 miles).

這顆人造月亮的照明范圍可以控制在10~80公里(6~50英里)。

While it might sound implausible , the experts say the technology has been in the works for years and has now ‘matured’ toward readiness.

雖然這聽上去可能令人難以置信，但專家表示，多年來他們一直在研究這項技術，如今這項技術已經“成熟”，準備就緒了。

Whether the plan will ultimately come to fruition, however, remains to be seen.

然而，這項計劃最終是否會取得成果仍需拭目以待。

Chengdu’s artificial moon has already been met with criticism from skeptics and concerned citizens who argue that the light will have adverse effects on animals and astronomical observation.

成都的人造月亮已經遭到了懷疑論者和憂慮的市民們的指責。他們認為，人造月亮的光芒會對動物和天文觀測產生不良影響。

But it is said that the light will amount only to a ‘dusk-like glow.’

不過據說，它的光芒只相當于“黃昏時的微光”。