India Joins Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO)
India has formally signed up for the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) – an ambitious multinational initiative to build the world’s largest radio telescope spanning over a square kilometer.
What is the SKAO?
The SKAO is not one instrument but a vast collection of thousands of telescope antennas at sites in South Africa and Australia. These will interconnect as a single giant telescope array.
It will enable astronomers to probe celestial phenomena out to extreme distances, advancing cosmic understanding.
India’s Past Involvement and Contributions
Indian scientists have participated in SKAO’s development for decades via the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) in Pune and other institutes.
A key contribution is the advanced ‘Telescope Manager’ software designed by NCRA on an international group. This neural network will control and optimize observations.
The software skills leverage India’s expertise running the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT), the world’s largest of its kind, also located near Pune.
Why it Matters
Joining SKAO allows India a front-row seat in decoding mysteries of the universe through ultra-sensitive technology.
Findings can enrich knowledge regarding galaxy evolution, stars, black holes and more while opening up new research directions.
Global Collaboration
The mega-science project brings together over 15 countries spanning science, engineering and industry.
It fosters high-value skills exchange and pushes technical boundaries for peaceful global advancement.
By rallying top experts worldwide, SKAO signifies scientific comity rising above geopolitics for unlocking the cosmos using cutting-edge infrastructure.
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Month: Current Affairs - January, 2024
Category: Science & Technology Current Affairs