The ambitious Square Kilometer Array project aims to build a giant radio telescope that will help scientists paint a detailed picture of some of the deepest reaches of outer space.
The ambitious Square Kilometer Array project aims to build a giant radio telescope that will help scientists paint a detailed picture of some of the deepest reaches of outer space.
Courtesy of SPDO/TDP/DRAO/Swinburne Astronomy Productions
A digital impression of the Square Kilometer Array shows how some of its 3,000 dishes would look on site in South Africa's Karoo desert.
A digital impression of the Square Kilometer Array shows how some of its 3,000 dishes would look on site in South Africa's Karoo desert.
Courtesy of SPDO/Swinburne Astronomy Productions
Scientists hope to use the phenomenally powerful SKA to learn more about the likes of distant stars, galaxies, quasars, dark matter and black holes.
Scientists hope to use the phenomenally powerful SKA to learn more about the likes of distant stars, galaxies, quasars, dark matter and black holes.
Courtesy Nasa
There's also the exciting possibility of capturing information on how the universe evolved in its earliest moments.
There's also the exciting possibility of capturing information on how the universe evolved in its earliest moments.
Courtesy of SPDO/Swinburne Astronomy Productions
In addition to 3,000 dishes there will be two sets of aperture array antennas -- dense (pictured in this CGI) and sparse -- which will pick up lower frequencies.
In addition to 3,000 dishes there will be two sets of aperture array antennas -- dense (pictured in this CGI) and sparse -- which will pick up lower frequencies.
Courtesy of SPDO/Swinburne Astronomy Productions
Africa's participation in the project will be ramped up by distant stations situated in Botswana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia.
Africa's participation in the project will be ramped up by distant stations situated in Botswana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia.
Courtesy SKA
The dishes and aperture arrays will be arranged into "five spiral arms" which will stretch out ever more sparsely over a massive area.
The dishes and aperture arrays will be arranged into "five spiral arms" which will stretch out ever more sparsely over a massive area.
Courtesy of SPDO/Swinburne Astronomy Productions