Context
Recently, India inked an interim agreement confirming its commitment to work on the mega science project — Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) — proposed to be the world's largest radio telescope.
Key-points
- The signing of the Cooperation Agreement between India, represented by TIFR – National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), and SKA, was held virtually.
- NCRA is within the Tata institute of fundamental research (TIFR), working in SKA’s development since the 1990s.
- The SKA Organisation graduated to becoming the SKA Council — an umbrella body to plan, undertake and oversee the construction of SKA Observatory and also manage operations of the facility in the decades to come.
- India is a participating country in the setting up of the world’s largest radio telescope, yet to get the central government’s approval to become a Member Country in SKA council.
About Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO)
- SKAO is a new intergovernmental organisation dedicated to radio astronomy.
- The operation, maintenance and construction of SKA will be overseen by Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO).
- SKAO is headquartered in the UK.
- The telescope in South Africa will have 197 dishes and will be located in the Karoo region.
- The telescope in Australia will have 1,31,072 antennas, and will be installed on the campus of the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory.
- India is also participating in SKAO through the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
