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Square Kilometre Array

Square Kilometre Array. 15 Aug 2012. Radio astronomy across Africa. African VLBI Network. 2. SKA countries coordination. 1. 3. Global SKA developments. South African activities. SKA Organisation. SKA/MeerKAT. Timelines. Astronomy Act and the Northern Cape Community. Outline.

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Square Kilometre Array

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  1. Square Kilometre Array 15 Aug 2012

  2. Radio astronomy across Africa African VLBI Network 2 SKA countries coordination 1 3 Global SKA developments South African activities SKA Organisation SKA/MeerKAT Timelines Astronomy Act and the Northern Cape Community Outline

  3. 1 Global SKA developments SKA Organisation Timelines Global developments • The SKA Org Board now comprise of South Africa, China, • Canada, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, • Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Sweden • Next meeting during October 2012 African SKA bid • SKA site decision ► May 2012 • Preparatory/preconstruction phase ► 2012/13 to 2015/16 • Hosting agreement ►discussions to start end 2012 at the earliest • SKA construction ► 2016 to 2024

  4. Background The new radio telescopes 2 Africa – a growing radio astronomy giant • Square Kilometre Array – construction from 2016 • MeerKAT 64 antennae array – construction • from 2012 • African VLBI Network - construction from 2012 • - African Renaissance Fund • provided R120m • - DST provides R21m • - R200m still to be raised • Low Frequency Array – construction from 2011 • ( MITRA: SA& Mauritius)

  5. Africa – a growing radio astronomy giant African VLBI Network 2 Radio astronomy across Africa SKA countries coordination • R141m can only fund 5 radio telescopes in • Ghana, Mozambique, Zambia, Kenya, • Madagascar – all dish antennae conversions • R200m shortfall for new dish constructions in • Botswana, Mauritius, Namibia, Mozambique • A combination of conversion & construction is • also being explored • Next SKA African partner countries Working Group & Steering Committee is in Sept 2012 • The SKA APC meeting will be back-to-back with African-European Radio Astronomy • Platform AERAP) workshop

  6. Progress in South Africa 3 South African activities SKA/MeerKAT Astronomy Act and the Northern Cape Community • There is an increasing demand from astronomy researchers • to work in South Africa – a welcomed challenge • MeerKAT infrastructure layout underway in Carnarvon • MeerKAT 64-dish construction to start in the second half of 2012 • AGA Act declaration to restrict activities on the NRF sites for SALT and MeerKAT are being finalised • DST and the South African SKA Project Office has set-up a forum for discussion with the Agri Northern Cape

  7. Progress in South Africa • MeerKAT SKA Schools Competition • Objective MeerKAT/SKA awareness • High schools and primary schools • 6 winners per province • Prizes laptops, printers, digital cameras and organised tours to astronomy observatory

  8. 1 Global SKA developments African VLBI Network 2 Radio astronomy across Africa SKA Organisation SKA countries coordination 3 South African activities Timelines SKA/MeerKAT Astronomy Act and the Northern Cape Community Thank You

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