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26 February 2009

South Africa and Australia, the two countries bidding to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope, have agreed to work more closely in advancing this iconic project.
 
This emerged at the SKA Forum today, which was the highlight of two weeks of specialist meetings that focused on the design, construction and science goals of this mega instrument.
 
Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena, and the Australian Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Kim Carr, confirmed the high priority which both governments give to the SKA.
 
To date, the two governments, along with the State Government of Western Australia, have committed approximately €150 million to bring the international SKA programme to fruition.
 
To this end, the two countries will collaborate in the development of a co-ordinated scientific and technical programme for the SKA radio telescopes (called pathfinders), the South African MeerKAT and the Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP). The two pathfinders are being built to contribute to the SKA technology.
 
This collaboration will enhance the scientific impact of both pathfinders and contribute to the overall advancement of the SKA programme. The close involvement of Australia's SKA Science and Engineering Committee and South Africa's SKA Project Office will be sought to ensure that the collaboration is an integral part of the international programme.
 
Astronomers will be able to exploit the complementary and common nature of the two SKA pathfinder facilities, conducting science that is aligned with the SKA reference mission, as well as capitalising on science opportunities provided by new astronomical facilities at other wavelengths.
 
Minister Mangena noted the collaboration programme would stimulate academic exchange between the two countries, further leveraging recent investments in human capacity building in astronomy by both countries, such as the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research in Western Australia.  
 
The countries have also agreed to promote awareness in the international community of the scientific value and wide-ranging benefits of the SKA and are ready to engage with potential partner countries in the development and implementation of the SKA.
 
Before the final site for the SKA can be announced between 2011 and 2012, many more studies will be done.
 
If built in South Africa, the core of the SKA will be in the Karoo region of the Northern Cape. Outer stations will fan out from the core in a spiral pattern, with proposed remote stations in several other African countries and neighbouring islands.
 
Construction on the telescope should start in 2013 and early SKA science will be done from 2017 onwards.

For media enquiries contact:
Ms Zama Mthethwa
Tel: 012 843 6781
Cell: 082 808 3956
E-mail: zama.mthethwa@dst.gov.za

Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
26 February 2009 
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dst.gov.za/)