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India sign cooperation agreement with SKAO

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    World Affairs
  • Published
    4th Feb, 2022

Context

Recently, India inked an interim agreement confirming its commitment to work on the mega science project —  Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) — proposed to be the world's largest radio telescope.

Key-points

  • The signing of the Cooperation Agreement between India, represented by TIFR – National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), and SKA, was held virtually.
    • NCRA is within the Tata institute of fundamental research (TIFR), working in SKA’s development since the 1990s.
  • The SKA Organisation graduated to becoming the SKA Council — an umbrella body to plan, undertake and oversee the construction of SKA Observatory and also manage operations of the facility in the decades to come.
  • India is a participating country in the setting up of the world’s largest radio telescope, yet to get the central government’s approval to become a Member Country in SKA council.

About Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO)

  • SKAO is a new intergovernmental organisation dedicated to radio astronomy.
  • The operation, maintenance and construction of SKA will be overseen by Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO).
  • SKAO is headquartered in the UK.
  • The telescope in South Africa will have 197 dishes and will be located in the Karoo region.
  • The telescope in Australia will have 1,31,072 antennas, and will be installed on the campus of the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory. 
  • India is also participating in SKAO through the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

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