South Africa is shortlisted to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the most powerful radio telescope ever. South Africa is building an SKA technology pathfinder telescope, the Karoo Array Telescope (known as MeerKAT).

MeerKAT project achieves major milestones
The Karoo Array Telescope (MeerKAT) project, a world-class radio telescope being built by the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation in the Karoo semi-desert in South Africa near the towns of Carnarvon and Williston, achieved a major milestone in April 2010 when the first four telescopes in the MeerKAT Precursor Array (MPA - also known as KAT-7) were linked together as an integrated system to produce the MeerKAT's first interferometric image of an astronomical object. Read the media release

Vacancy
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer joint UCT/SAAO position in Observational Astronomy. Also see departmental profiles for UCT and the SAAO. Applications close on
1 September 2010.

Bursaries and scholarships
Call for applications for 2011 bursaries, scholarships and fellowships now open.

Media clipping
Minister visits MeerKAT site
On 30 March 2010, the Minister for Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, and Northern Cape Premier, Hazel Jenkins, joined SKA staff to brief the media and dignitaries on the latest development in the MeerKat project – the completion of the first seven telescopes, which will serve as testers for the cutting- edge technology needed to build SKA.

Media coverage
SKA student wins S2A3 prize, UCT News
DST boosts SKA bid, ITWeb
SA radio telescope project achieves major milestone early, Engineering News
Five new South African SKA Research Chairs announced, DST media release

Read more media releases / media coverage


SKA Timeline
2022
Completion of the SKA at lo/mid band frequencies
Start of SKA hi band construction
2017
Initial Science with Phase 1
2016
Funding approval for full SKA at lo/mid band frequencies
2015
Start of SKA high frequency design
2013-18
Construction of SKA Phase 1
2012-13
Establish SKA organisation
2012
Funding approval for Phase 1 and site selection
2008-12
System design and costing
2006
Short listing of suitable sites
2000
Memorandum of Agreement signed
1994
International Working Group set up
1991
SKA Concept