Invitation to the site of the Square Kilometre Array in the Northern Cape
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is inviting media to the site of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) in Carnarvon, on Saturday, 16 July.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, will commission 16 dishes of the 64-dish MeerKAT that have been completed so far. She will be accompanied by deputy ministers from various government departments.
The MeerKAT radio telescope is a precursor to the SKA telescope and will be integrated into the mid-frequency component of SKA Phase 1. When completed by late next year, it will consist of 64 dishes.
The scientific potential of the MeerKAT has drawn worldwide interest and is now within reach. It is a testament to the dedicated work of hundreds of engineers, scientists, managers and other staff, as well as the South African and international industrial partners, and, not least, it has been made possible through the support of the government and the people of South Africa for more than a decade.
The SKA will be the world's most powerful radio telescope – one hundred times more sensitive than any current radio telescope. It will revolutionise our understanding of the universe.
The SKA will be built in two phases – SKA1 and SKA2 – starting in 2018. SKA1 will include two components – SKA1 MID (to be built in South Africa) and SKA1 LOW (to be built in Australia). They will observe the universe at different radio frequencies.
Journalists who are interested in covering the event must please make their own arrangements to travel to Carnarvon.
For more information:
Veronica Mohapeloa
Cell: 082 882 3818
David Mandaha
Cell: 072 126 8910
