DST draws youth to SKA bid

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has started a competition to raise awareness about SA's bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope.

SA is up against Australia to host the SKA, a mega telescope, about 100 times more sensitive than the biggest existing radio telescope. SKA funders are expected to announce the host country in March 2012.

To raise awareness about this bid among secondary school learners, in grades eight to 11, the DST has started a competition that will give learners the chance to win a laptop/notebook, iPod, printer or SKA SA branded clothing and bags by answering five questions.

"We are engaging the youth of SA to assist in bringing this project to Africa. By entering the competition in droves, learners will send a clear message to the decision-makers that Africa's time has certainly come - for large research infrastructure development too," says Dr Tshepo Seekoe, chief director of Radio Astronomy Advances at the DST.

He adds that the youth of SA are future beneficiaries of a vibrant astronomy and space programme that will come with the winning of the SKA bid.

Apart from the advantage to SA's space development programme, the SKA should also benefit tourism, with visitors streaming to see the spectacular core site, says the department.

"SA's youth has the opportunity to prove that they are responsible, willing and able to help change the lives of future generations through science development,” says executive director of the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) Beverley Damonse.

She adds that SAASTA is advancing public awareness and appreciation of science, engineering and technology in SA.

"By targeting the youth, this competition is reaching out to the very people who are the future of science development in our country. The voice of the youth will assist in securing the SKA bid for Africa.”

Entry forms can be downloaded from the SAASTA, the South African SKA Project Office and DST Web sites. They will also be available at secondary schools and science centres around the country, says the department.

It adds that entries, marked "MeerKAT-SKA Schools Competition", may be posted to PO Box 1758, Pretoria, 0001, or delivered to SAASTA, Didacta Building, 211 Skinner Street, Pretoria. The competition closes on 31 October.

Science and technology minister Naledi Pandor has also urged South African citizens to help the country win the bid to host the world's largest radio telescope by highlighting their science and technology strengths.

"In the run-up to the vital decision about who will host the SKA, all of us must make an effort to showcase our strong science and production capabilities across all of the areas that are required for the SKA to run successfully. We need to highlight that such a project has the power to strengthen science, technology, and innovation in Africa," she says.

The minister adds that everyone has a role to play in strengthening the bid, including researchers, the media and local industry.

The African Union (AU) has expressed its support for SA's SKA bid and Brazil has agreed to interact further with SA on the project.

The DST says the AU has acknowledged the significance of the SKA project in bringing much-needed development to Africa with the science, technology and innovation that will emanate from it.

Brazil and SA agreed to increase interaction on the SKA project, following a declaration the two countries signed in July, reaffirming their determination to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic level, according to the DST.

The construction of the SKA is expected to cost about EUR1.5 billion. The operations and maintenance of a large telescope normally cost about 10% of the capital costs per year, says the department.

It explains that this then means the international SKA consortium would be spending approximately EUR100 million to EUR150 million per year on the telescope. “It is expected that a significant portion of the capital, operations and maintenance costs will be spent in the host country. Africa offers a competitive and affordable solution for constructing, operating and maintaining the SKA.”

The DST is already funding six 15-year research chairs in radio astronomy, each worth just over EUR300 000 per year (inflation-linked).

“In addition, 215 grants have been awarded to young people, mainly for postdoctoral, PhD and MSc research relating to the MeerKAT [SKA precursor] and the SKA, including some for undergraduate study in physics.”

The department says a technician training programme is also being supported.

The final decision regarding the successful host country for the telescope is expected in 2012, with work due to start in 2013. Operations will start in 2015, provided a significant portion of the array has been commissioned.

The SKA will consist of approximately 3 000 dish-shaped antennae and other hybrid receiving technologies, with a core of about 2 000 antennae. These stations will be spread over a vast area of up to 3 000km.

It will also be a powerful time machine that scientists will use to go back in time to explore the origins of the first galaxies, stars and planets. If there is life somewhere else in the Universe, the SKA will help find it, states the DST.

It adds that the core of the telescope will be located in Carnarvon, in the Northern Cape, with about three antenna stations in Namibia, four in Botswana and one each in Mozambique, Mauritius, Madagascar, Ghana, Kenya and Zambia. Each antenna station will consist of about 30 to 40 individual antennae.

It adds that some benefits of the proposed site for the SKA in SA include low levels of radio frequency interference and certainty of future radio quiet zone; basic infrastructure (roads, electricity and communications) are in place; the site has an ideal geographical location, sky coverage and topography; it is a safe and stable area with very few people and no conflicting economic activities; and the required land, labour and services are available and very affordable.