The Australia and New Zealand bid to host the SKA featured prominently in a recent episode of the ABC TV’s Catalyst, Australia’s most recognised science program. Delving into the mysteries of the universe, the program examined the prospect of the SKA being used to prove the existence of “Dark Matter”, the Theory of Quintessence and investigating the origins of the universe.
On the program, Professor Peter Quinn director of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) enthused about the capabilities of the SKA. “With the SKA we're about [to be] … not five, not ten, not a hundred, not a thousand, but ten thousand … times more capable of exploring the universe than [any of ] its predecessors” he said.
The program also outlined the exciting tasks ahead for CSIRO's ASKAP team, putting together 36 dishes with over 7200 pieces. With these dishes it is hoped that we can peer back into the cosmic period known as the Dark Ages.
To watch the story or read the transcript, click here.
Image: Four of CSIRO’s new ASKAP antennas at the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, October 2010.
Credit: Ant Schinckel, CSIRO.