Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) Project

Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) Project

Part of: GS Prelims and GS- III – Sci & Tech

In news 

• A global collaboration for the world’s largest radio telescope took formal shape with the constitution of an Intergovernmental Council recently.

Key takeaways 

• The Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) project spans two continents and involves the participation of 20 countries. 
• The SKA is not a single telescope but will be an array of antennas strategically designed and set up in South Africa and Australia.
• It is expected to be ready for carrying out observations towards the end of this decade.
• Goals: Studying the universe and its evolution, the origin and evolution of cosmic magnetism, and dark energy and evolution of galaxies.
• It is proposed to be built in two phases, with an estimated 1.8 billion euros required for phase-I, planned over the next ten years.

Do you know? 

• Headquarter: United Kingdom 
•  The telescope in South Africa will have 197 dishes and will be located in the Karoo region.
• The telescope in Australia will have 1,31,072 antennas, and will be installed on the campus of the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory. 
• India is also participating in SKAO through the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).