WA committed to success of revolutionary telescope

The largest gathering of scientists, industry representatives and politicians involved in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Project met in Perth last week for the International SKA Forum.

More than 185 guests gathered to discuss what has been dubbed the most ambitious science projects for the 21st century.

Australia is one of only two locations left in the race to host the $2 billion international project to build a next generation radio telescope, Southern Africa is the other.

Department of Industry and Resources General Manager of Radio Astronomy Daniela Mattheys said hosting the forum in Perth offered the unprecedented opportunity to showcase the State’s outstanding characteristics, as well as highlight its unique attributes as a contender for the project.

“The SKA Forum was an outstanding success with Perth playing host to one of the biggest gatherings of the world’s leading astronomers,” she said.

“High level representatives of the world’s leading radio astronomy bodies in Europe, the United States and Asia-Pacific attended, along with representatives from the South African SKA project bid.

“Local, national and international scientists as well as industry, academia and government representatives and others either already involved or wanting to become engaged in the SKA Project also attended.”

Ms Mattheys said the forum, which was run alongside a range of related SKA meetings, provided a comprehensive understanding of the developments in the complex and ambitious program and actively sought guests’ views and ideas to develop the path forward.

She said it also provided opportunities for collaborative discussions and relationship building amongst key stakeholders.

The SKA will be up to 50 times more sensitive than best present-day instruments, giving astronomers remarkable insights into the formation of the universe and addressing some of the most fundamental unanswered questions in physics and astronomy.

Federal Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Senator Kim Carr and the State’s Premier Alan Carpenter both reinforced Australia’s commitment to the SKA telescope at the opening of the forum.

“The SKA project has the potential to change the way we see the world,” Premier Carpenter said.

“Australia is firmly committed to working hard with the international community to ensure its success.”

The State Government has committed $29.3 million for radio astronomy developments in the State, and the Australian Government has also provided $118.5 million to help meet some of the key technology and engineering development requirements of the SKA and its precursor projects.

Both Senator Carr and the Premier said the cooperative national approach reflected the utmost importance Australian placed on the SKA and its determination to bring such an important scientific initiative to life.

A final decision on which country will host the SKA is expected in 2012.