Extending the observable zenith angle of FAST using an offset feed

The five hundred meter aperture spherical radio telescope is will use an active spherical reflector. When the zenith scan angle is changed, the illuminated part of the reflecting surface is made to fit a paraboloid of revolution in real time by active control. The maximum zenith scan angle |ψmax| of FAST is 30° under conditions of the geometry selected in order that the feed does not illuminate the ground. The result of this paper shows that the maximum zenith scan angle |ψmax| can be extended to 69° by offsetting the feed.