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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 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
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
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)
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
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
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
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