So far 2011 has been a busy year for everyone involved in the SKA project – both in Australia and New Zealand and around the world. And the next few months promise to be no different as the project hits some of its key milestones.
Back in July, a delegation of Australian and New Zealand scientists, government, industry and community representatives led by Australian Science Minister Kim Carr attended the International SKA Forum in Banff, Canada. It was a very interesting forum and it was gratifying to see strong ongoing international commitment to the project.
Also in July, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) released enhanced protection mechanisms for the Mid-West Radio Quiet Zone (RQZ) around our core SKA site – the Murchison Radioastronomy Observatory (MRO). The RQZ has been in place since 2005, but these enhancements help improve its ongoing flexibility and certainty for radio astronomers, the local community and industry.
Construction of the Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) continues to be the focus of much activity. In June we had the pleasure of witnessing a Wajarri naming ceremony at the MRO to give the first six ASKAP antennas their official Wajarri names. So far nine of the 36 dishes have been constructed with five further dishes on site and under construction. Capital works on roads, access tracks and an upgraded airstrip have also begun.
In more recent developments, Australia and New Zealand have now submitted our proposal to host the SKA. The submission makes the case that Australia and New Zealand are highly suitable, well equipped and fully prepared to host the SKA – one of the world’s most inspirational projects.
Internationally, the next few months will see a drive toward the establishment of the SKA legal entity, the beginning of the preconstruction phase and the site decision in early 2012.
Finally, I’d like to extend a warm congratulations on behalf of the Australia-New Zealand SKA project to my colleague Dr Brian Schmidt of the Australian National University for being awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize for Physics, which he shares with two fellow laureates. The 2011 prize recognises the groundbreaking discovery of the ever-accelerating expansion of our universe. The SKA will help unlock the explanation behind this discovery, and perhaps help young and future astronomers to attain similar accolades.
For regular project updates, follow me on twitter - www.twitter.com/BrianBoyleSKA