SKAO: Square Kilometre Array Observatory

Context: The SKAO or Square Kilometer Array Observatory is an international mega-science project that will serve as the largest radio telescope in the world, will now include scientists from India. 

India Takes First Step: Approves SKAO Convention and Sanctions Rs 1,250 Crore

• To formally become members, countries are required to sign and ratify the SKAO Convention. 
• India’s approval for joining the project, accompanied by a financial sanction of Rs 1,250 crore, represents the first step toward ratification.

About SKAO (Square Kilometre Array Observatory)

• Genesis: SKAO was established as an intergovernmental organization in 2021 after years of negotiations that saw participation from various countries, including India.
• About: The SKAO is an array of thousands of antennas that will be placed in isolated, radio-quiet areas of Australia and South Africa. 
• Headquarters: The United Kingdom.
• SKA-India Consortium: It comprises engineers and scientists from over 20 national-level research institutions which include: the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA); Aryabhatta Institute of Observational Sciences, etc.
  • NCRA earned the responsibility within the SKA for successfully constructing and operating GMRT.

What is the Significance of the SKA telescope?

• Some of the questions that scientists hope to address using this telescope include:
  • The beginning of the universe, 
  • Origin of first stars 
  • The life-cycle of a galaxy, 
  • Exploring the possibility of detecting technologically-active civilisations elsewhere in our galaxy 
  • Understanding the origin of gravitational waves.
• India’s Role: Its main contribution to the SKA is the creation and management of the Telescope Manager component, also known as the “neural network” or software that powers the telescope.
  • NCRA is a unit of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, which operates India’s largest network of radio telescopes called the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) near Pune.
• International Collaborators: UK, Australia, South Africa, Canada, China, France, India, Italy and Germany.

News Source: Indian Express

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