Science Essay
The Square kilometre array
The Square Kilometre Array is the most important radio telescope in the world, it will revolutionise science and they way we think about space.
The Square Kilometre Array project was started in 2006 were the Square Kilometre Array steering committee started looking for suitable sites around the world where there is the least radio interference, the finalist are South Africa and Australia along with newzeland. Why South Africa and Australia? Because there is minimal radio interference from manmade sources such as cell phones and TV antennas, also the lack of commercial activity in the area will ensure that there is no interference in the future.
The Square Kilometre Array is the most powerful radio telescope in the world and is 50-100 times more sensitive than any other radio telescope. If South Africa wins the bid for the Square Kilometre Array telescope the core of the Square Kilometre Array will be built in the in the Karoo region in the northern cape, near to the towns of Carnarvon and Williston but the Square Kilometre Array is so big that it will have to be spread across seven African countries, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Mauritius, Madagascar, Kenya and Ghana. The Square Kilometre Array isn’t one small radio antenna it has 3000 radio antennas half of these will be in a 5km central region and the rest will be put 3000km away from the central region. The antennas will be connected thru a data communications network to a powerful data processing facility, the telescope will be operated and monitored remotely from Cape Town, the area that the antennas cover will add up to one square kilometre which is where the array gets its name from.
If the Square Kilometre Array were to be built in Australia or newzeland they would build it in the Mid West region of Western Australia, the radio antennas will extend into newzeland which is why Australia and newzeland are working together to win the bid for the Square Kilometre Array. The Mid West region of Western Australia is much like the Karoo with little radio interference and low population density and has good observing weather and a calm ionosphere. Which much like South Africa makes it an ideal place for the Square Kilometre Array.
The Square Kilometre Array is able to pick up electromagnetic radiation and cosmic rays emitted from extremely distant celestial objects. Electromagnetic radiation travels at speeds of 300 000km per second very distant objects are observed as they were in the past. This will allow astronomers and scientist to lack back in time to watch the early stages of the evolution of the universe. Square Kilometre Array will also allow us to search for hidden galaxies, other life forms on different planets and other planets that we could call home in the future along with other fundamental questions in astronomy but all this technology cost lots of money in fact €1.5 billion with operating costs of €100 million a year there are 24 organisations from 12 countries, Australia, Canada, India, China, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA. Europe is funding 40% of the project with a substantial amount coming from the USA, the rest of the money is expected to come from other countries involved in the project. The Square Kilometre Array will be built in phases, it is expected that the construction of the Square Kilometre Array will start in 2012 with significant collecting area by 2015, the full array will be completed in 2024 also being built by both South Africa and Australia are pathfinder telescopes to test and develop the technology and science for the Square Kilometre Array, they are due to be complete in 2012 and will be part of the new generation telescopes. South Africa’s path finding telescope is being built where the Square Kilometre Array is going to be built, our pathfinder is called the MeerKAT and will consist of up to 80 dishes each 12m in diameter.
One of the main reasons for South African government support is that they are hoping to attract young people in science and engineering, the building of the meerKAT and Square Kilometre Array will be a challenge for engineers and builders. Building the meerKAT and Square Kilometre Array requires skill of all sorts especially in engineering disciplines such as digital signal processing, radio frequency engineering, antenna design and software development. The Square Kilometre Array in South Africa is supported by targeted Youth into Science and Engineering Programme. The programme offers bursaries to students in engineering, mathematics, physics and astronomy. The people who do this will be able to interact with leading astronomers and will play a part in the Square Kilometre Array.
Square Kilometre Array timeline 2008-2012 System design and costing, 2012 Site decision, 2013-2015 Detailed design and productionengineering, 2016 Initial construction, 2019 First science, 2023 Completion of construction andcommissioning, 2024 Full operation
My opinion about the Square Kilometre Array is that it will be a extreme scientific break threw and will answer some of the fundamental questions of astronomy, it will provide jobs and give us a better understanding of the universe, for south Africa if it gets built in south Africa it will attract the best astronomers in the world which will be good for our country it will give us a boost in the development of our country, it will give African scientist, engineers and astronomers chances to engage with transformational science and cutting edge instruments and to work in joint projects with the best universities and research institutions in the world.
So is the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope project justified? Yes it is, it provides jobs, educational advantages and unbelievable opportunities for astronomers, scientist and engineers, it will answer fundamental questions and even find humans new planets that we can one day call home. IT will point us in a new direction.
“Africa needs science and science needs Africa. After all, Africa is the home of humankind and the place where technology and intellectual activity first developed.”
By Alex Fulford
A artist impression of part of the SKA
Were the wrighting doesnt apear just select that area and you should see it then.
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