The SKA Observatory - radio telescopes for the 21st century
Seminar Hall 31, 2nd Floor, Main Building
Abstract:
The SKA Observatory (http://www.skao.int) is a global project that aims to build the next-generation, state-of-the-art radio telescope, for addressing a wide variety of science objectives, ranging from the distant Universe to the origins of life. At present, more than 10 nations, including India, are participating in the construction of this mega-observatory at two sites in Australia and South Africa. The SKA's innovative design features an array of thousands of antennas spread across vast distances, employing a technique called aperture synthesis to achieve its extraordinary sensitivity and resolution. The talk will delve into the intricacies of the SKA's technology, highlighting its low-frequency counterpart in India (GMRT), and exploring the formidable data processing challenges it will present. We will explore the myriad scientific capabilities of the telescopes and how Indian engineers are building the "nervous system" that will run them with high efficiency. Opportunities for participation in international SKA-related research projects for undergraduate students will also be described.