SKAMPI, a prototype telescope of SKA Observatory (SKAO) constructed in South Africa achieved first light, demonstrating its potential.
- First light is a new astronomical instrument’s first use that results in an image.
Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO)
- It is an intergovernmental organization composed of member states and partners from five continents and is headquartered in United Kingdom.
- 9 Member Countries: Australia, China, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and UK.
- Prospective Members (In process): Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, and Sweden.
- It aims to build and operate cutting-edge radio telescopes and its two telescopes are currently under construction in Australia’s Murchison Shire and South Africa’s Karoo.
- These will cover two different frequency ranges and are located in radio quiet zones, protecting them from interference from the ground.
- Both SKA telescopes have been designed to work as a single enormous virtual telescope using interferometry.
- Interferometry uses large numbers of smaller antennas connected together by optical fibre networks.
- Its science goals include exploring evolution of universe, tracking gravitational waves, and studying cosmic magnetism.
India and SKAO
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