Southern Mapping to Support SKA Project

The telescope will consist of close to 4 000 dish-shaped antennae and is to be approximately 100 times more sensitive than the biggest radio telescope that currently exists, varying between three sizes. The antennae stations will be spread out over an area of 1 square kilometre, explaining the title of ‘Square Kilometre Array'. South Africa is bidding against Australia - the other country deemed suitable to host this project and the optimal site will be selected by 2011.

Alex Fortescue, of Southern Mapping, explained that in preparation for the bid, South Africa needs to show that it can adhere to strict regulations as set out by the SKA Science and Engineering Committee (SSEC). "The telescope has to be constructed far away from artificial radio interference, areas prone to flooding, rugged areas with steep terrain etc. Many factors will be taken into consideration when determining who the host country should be, such as telescope operating costs from both countries as well as meeting of the scientific requirements that have been put in place. Southern Mapping will assist by providing geographic information about the proposed telescope location, by making use of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. We have already supplied two detailed GIS models to the SKA bidding team".

In preparation for the bid, South Africa has commenced building the MeerKAT telescope, to serve as a ‘pathfinder' for the SKA, by using the latest technology. The first seven dishes of this telescope have already been constructed and have produced images.

If South Africa is chosen to host the SKA, the telescope's core will be built in the Karoo in the Northern Cape Province, and will be linked to a computing facility in Cape Town. Due to the magnitude of the telescope, the telescope stations will be spread out all across Africa.

Once built, this extra large telescope will be able to observe radio signals from as far back as immediately after the ‘Big Bang,' as the formation of the universe is commonly referred to. Scientists are hopeful that the SKA will provide new insights into how the universe was formed and exactly what it is made of.

The SKA project has an estimated value of about EUR1.5 billion and operating costs will extend to approximately EUR100 million a year, which will be funded by European countries, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, India, China as well as the United States.

Says Alex Fortescue of Southern Mapping, "We are proud to be associated with this project and to provide technological support and information. It will be an even prouder moment if South Africa is chosen to host the SKA, not only because it will be a major milestone for our country, but also because of the long list of benefits it will bring forth. I have no doubt that this project will create local job opportunities and stimulate a renewed interest in science with our youth. Furthermore, it has the potential to put the country in the spotlight in the international science arena."