Southern Africa is fast becoming a hub of activities in the field of astronomy and related technologies. Winning the SKA bid will be a major step forward for the government's Astronomy Geographical Advantage Programme (AGAP). Other major astronomy players in the region include the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) in the Karoo, and the HESS gamma ray telescope in Namibia.

South Africa's Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act (2007) declares the entire Northern Cape Province, with the exception of the Sol Plaatje Municipality (Kimberley) as an astronomy advantage area. Within that an area of 12.5 million hectares is the main protected area - or radio astronomy reserve - for the SKA. This area is also referred to as the Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Area.

Other benefits of the proposed SKA South Africa site include:

• Low levels of radio frequency interference and certainty of future radio quiet zone
• Very little light pollution
• Basic infrastructure of roads, electricity and communication in place
• Ideal geographical location, sky coverage and topography
• Safe and stable area with very few people and no conflicting economic activities
• Required land, labour and services available and very affordable
• Excellent academic infrastructure to support SKA science and technology
• The astronomical "richness" of the southern skies & strong tradition of astronomy

Hosting the SKA in South Africa will boost the development of high level skills and cutting edge technology infrastructure in Africa, and will also attract expertise and collaborative projects to the continent.

Want to know more?

Factsheet: SKA for Africa
Download a factsheet about SKA for Africa and Africa for SKA.

Factsheet: Africa - site for the SKA
A factsheet about Africa being an outstanding and affordable site for the SKA.

Factsheet: Africa - future scientists and engineers
A factsheet about future scientists and engineers from Africa for Africa.

Factsheet: Collaboration at all levels
A factsheet about collaboration at all levels - a true global SKA partner.

Factsheet: Industry partnerships
A factsheet about SKA South Africa industry partnerships.

Factsheet: MeerKAT
A factsheet about South Africa's MeerKAT array radio telescope.