INWED19 - Shagita Gounden - How does diversity benefit engineering?SKA Observatory2026-09-22 | INWED19 - Shagita Gounden - How does diversity benefit engineering?Team SKA marks International Women in Engineering Day 2023SKA Observatory2023-06-23 | Meet three members of Team SKA based in our host countries 🇦🇺🇿🇦🇬🇧 who are helping to build the SKA telescopes! International Women in Engineering Day 2023 focuses on safety, one of the SKAO's core values. Hear how our team is embedding a safety culture across the Observatory.
In the video: SKA-Mid HSE Manager Michelle Barnard, SKA-Low Head of Engineering Operations Angela Teale, and Product Assurance Engineer Monique Marinus.Celebrating the start of construction on site: SKA-Low, AustraliaSKA Observatory2023-06-05 | Celebrations to mark the start of SKA-Low construction took place on 5 December 2022 at the telescope site, located at Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory on Wajarri Yamaji Country in Western Australia. The ceremony was followed later the same day by celebrations in South Africa to mark the start of SKA-Mid construction.Celebrating the start of construction on site: SKA-Mid, South AfricaSKA Observatory2023-06-05 | Guests gathered in South Africa's Karoo region on 5 December 2022 to mark the start of SKA-Mid telescope construction on site. The ceremony followed earlier celebrations in Australia to mark the start of SKA-Low construction.Sweden gears up for SKA scienceSKA Observatory2023-03-24 | Stockholm University played host to more than 60 scientists for the National SKA Science Day Sweden on 2 February 2023. The meeting brought together PhD students, postdocs and senior researchers from Chalmers University's Onsala Space Observatory, Stockholm University, Uppsala University and further afield to discuss science possibilities with the SKA telescopes and current research with pathfinder instruments. We spoke to some of them about the importance of the SKA for their work.Messages from SKAO partner countries to mark SKA constructionSKA Observatory2022-12-05 | Ministers and representatives from SKAO partner countries deliver congratulatory messages to mark the SKA Construction Commencement Ceremonies on 5 December 2022.
00:06-1:31 Australia: Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic 01:31-04:57 South Africa: Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Blade Nzimande 05:00-10:14 China: Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang 10:15-12:06 Italy: Minister of University and Research Anna Maria Bernini 12:07-13:06 The Netherlands: Minister of Education, Culture and Science Robbert Dijkgraaf 13:07-13:51 Switzerland: State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation Martina Hirayama 13:51-16:24 United Kingdom: Minister for Science, Research and Innovation George Freeman 16:24-17:01 Spain: Minister for Science and Innovation Diana Morant 17:01-17:38 France: Director-General for Research and Innovation, Ministry of Higher Education and Research, Claire Giry 17:38-18:19 South Korea: President of Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute Young-Deuk ParkMaking the SKA telescopes a reality: the next chapterSKA Observatory2022-12-05 | After 18 months of global procurement and construction activities around the world, on 5 December 2022 the SKAO enters a new era by officially marking the start of SKA construction at the telescope sites in Australia and South Africa!
Watch our film with contributions from partners across the SKA world who are part of the construction effort.SKAO hosts international science communication meeting PARISKA Observatory2022-08-23 | Hear from some of the attendees at the fourth edition of the Public Awareness of Research Infrastructures (PARI) conference! Science communication is a vital part of the work of research infrastructures, finding innovative ways to connect with the public and explain science in an engaging manner.
Organised by the European Association of National Research Facilities (ERF-AISBL) and hosted at SKAO HQ from 18 - 20 July 2022, PARI brought together public relations practitioners, science communicators, educators, and researchers working for and with research infrastructures to exchange best practices and lessons learned in communicating science to the public.The new SKAO website is live!SKA Observatory2022-07-05 | Join us as we unveil our new website!Ask me anything on SKA scienceSKA Observatory2022-03-08 | To celebrate the IAU's Women in Astronomy month and International Women’s Day on 8 March, SKAO astronomers Dr Shari Breen and Dr Philippa Hartley answer questions on SKA science submitted by our followers on Instagram! Our first Ask Me Anything covers SKA science goals, what it’s like to be an astronomer, the search for extra-terrestrial life, and much more!The 30-year history of the SKA projectSKA Observatory2021-07-01 | Prof. Philip Diamond, SKAO Director-General, looks back at 30 years of scientific, engineering and diplomatic milestones that have made the SKA project possible as the green light is given for construction of the SKA telescopes to start.
Find out more: http://www.skatelescope.org/news/green-light-for-ska-constructionSKAO press conference on the start of construction of the SKA telescopesSKA Observatory2021-06-30 | Watch our press conference marking the start of construction of the SKA telescopes as our speakers recap the context around the SKA Observatory and what the SKA telescopes will do and members of the media ask questions. Speakers: - Prof. Philip Diamond, SKAO Director-General - Dr Philippa Hartley, Postdoctoral Fellow, - Dr Chiara Ferrari, astronomer and SKAO-France Director - Dr Simon Berry, Head of the DG's Office - Dr Joe McMullin, Deputy DG and Programme Director
Find out more: http://www.skatelescope.org/news/green-light-for-ska-constructionGreen light given for SKA construction!SKA Observatory2021-06-29 | At a historic meeting of its Council on 25 June, the recently formed SKA Observatory (SKAO) saw its Member States approve the start of construction of the SKA telescopes, the two largest and most complex networks of radio telescopes ever built.
Hear from SKAO Director-General Prof. Philip Diamond and Chair of the SKAO Council Dr Catherine Cesarsky as they discuss the significance of the decision, and what happens next.Discover the SKAOs missionSKA Observatory2021-04-28 | Meet the SKA Observatory. Our mission is to build and operate cutting-edge radio telescopes to transform our understanding of the Universe, and deliver benefits to society through global collaboration and innovation.
In April, we unveiled a new brand, after the SKAO officially came into being as an intergovernmental organisation on 15 January 2021. The brand launch signals a new chapter in the SKA Project’s 30-year history, as we prepare to start construction of the two most advanced
radio telescope networks on Earth!
Executive Producers: SKAO Communications Office Made by the Science Office, part of the Content Matters Group Licence: CC-BY-NC-NDDr Catherine Cesarsky - Equations, satellites and telescopes: my experience as a woman scientistSKA Observatory2021-02-16 | Dr Catherine Cesarsky, former chair of the SKA Organisation Board of Directors, joined us on International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2021 to introduce herself in her new role as Chair of the SKA Observatory Council. With humour, Dr Cesarsky reflects on her distinguished career as an astronomer, discussing the challenges she faced and how she overcame them, and gives an overview of her role in the SKAO and ambitions for the future.SKAO Project Scientist Dr Anna BonaldiSKA Observatory2021-02-11 | To mark the UN-declared International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2021, Team SKA Project Scientist Dr Anna Bonaldi spoke to us about the importance of diversity in science!SKAO is bornSKA Observatory2021-02-04 | The SKA Observatory, a new intergovernmental organisation dedicated to radio astronomy, was launched on 4 February 2021 following the first meeting of the Observatory’s Council.
Known as SKAO, it is the world’s second intergovernmental organisation to be dedicated to astronomy.
Hear from SKAO Council Chair Dr Catherine Cesarsky and SKAO Director-General Prof. Philip Diamond on the significance of the day's events.Astronomy and Impact - IAU President Prof. Ewine van DishoeckSKA Observatory2021-01-22 | Renowned astronomer Prof. Ewine van Dishoeck, President of the International Astronomical Union, delivers a talk on why astronomy is an important part of society and how the IAU is promoting it, as part of the regular Speaker Series for SKAO staff.
Astronomy has always had a significant impact on our world. Early cultures identified celestial objects with the gods and took their movement across the sky as prophecies of what was to come. Throughout history humans have looked to the stars to navigate the oceans, to know the time of day and to decide when to plant their crops. In other words: astronomy forms a part of our society that supersedes scientific publications and Big Data.
Prof. van Dishoeck talk begins at 08'36", following introductions by SKAO Senior External Relations Policy Officer Thijs Geurts and SKA Director-General Prof. Philip Diamond.Open Science for sustainability and inclusiveness: the SKA role model (Science Digital @ UNGA 75)SKA Observatory2020-10-07 | Dr Lourdes Verdes-Montenegro of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (CSIC), Coordinator of the Spanish participation in the SKA project, discusses the importance of Open Science.Presentation slides available here: tinyurl.com/y3ypq368
Experts from across the SKA world presented a series of talks as part of the Science Digital @UNGA 75 side events in September 2020, focusing on how science can advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).SKA, a unique tool for Science Diplomacy (Science Digital @ UNGA 75)SKA Observatory2020-10-07 | Thijs Geurts, Senior External Relations Policy Advisor at the SKA Organisation, discusses how the SKA, as an international scientific collaboration, is a unique tool for Science Diplomacy. Presentation slides available here: tinyurl.com/yyjbkz3w
Experts from across the SKA world presented a series of talks as part of the Science Digital @UNGA 75 side events in September 2020, focusing on how science can advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The SKA: sustainable and inclusive development in Canadian astronomy (Science Digital @ UNGA 75)SKA Observatory2020-10-07 | Prof. Kristine Spekkens, Canadian Science Director for the SKA, discusses efforts to make astronomy more equitable, diverse and inclusive in Canada through the SKA. Presentation slides available here: tinyurl.com/y4we4fq9
Experts from across the SKA world presented a series of talks as part of the Science Digital @UNGA 75 side events in September 2020, focusing on how science can advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).SKA in a European perspective (Science Digital @ UNGA 75)SKA Observatory2020-10-07 | Dr Chiara Ferrari, Astronomer at Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, Director of Maison SKA-France and Chair of the European SKA Forum, provides a European perspective on the SKA. Presentation slides available here: tinyurl.com/y2tmw5kq
Experts from across the SKA world presented a series of talks as part of the Science Digital @UNGA 75 side events in September 2020, focusing on how science can advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The FAST Project: Developing a world-class radio astronomy facility (Science Digital @ UNGA 75)SKA Observatory2020-10-07 | Dr Bo Peng, Director of the Key Laboratory of FAST at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, talks about developing a world-class radio astronomy facility and supporting research/innovation and education ecosystem in China. Presentation slides available here: tinyurl.com/y2s4885h
Experts from across the SKA world presented a series of talks as part of the Science Digital @UNGA 75 side events in September 2020, focusing on how science can advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Big Science investment: an Indian government perspective (Science Digital @ UNGA 75)SKA Observatory2020-10-07 | Arun Srivastava, Secretary of India's Atomic Energy Commission discusses the Indian government perspective on Big Science investments, including the SKA. Presentation slides available here: tinyurl.com/y5jqtdtf
Experts from across the SKA world presented a series of talks as part of the Science Digital @UNGA 75 side events in September 2020, focusing on how science can advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Establishing a new paradigm for globally-distributed science with SKA (Science Digital @ UNGA 75)SKA Observatory2020-10-07 | Antonio Chrysostomou, Head of Science Operations at the SKA Organisation, talks about globally distributed science with the SKA, and how its data will travel the world. Presentation slides available here: tinyurl.com/y5jkbazl
Experts from across the SKA world presented a series of talks as part of the Science Digital @UNGA 75 side events in September 2020, focusing on how science can advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Astronomy and space science in South Africa (Science Digital @ UNGA 75)SKA Observatory2020-10-07 | Carla Sharpe, Africa Programme Manager at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory, discusses developing a digital research and innovation capability and a novel Human Capital Development Programme. Presentation slides available here: tinyurl.com/y5gktguk
Experts from across the SKA world presented a series of talks as part of the Science Digital @UNGA 75 side events in September 2020, focusing on how science can advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).SKA: The Australian perspective & relationships with local communities (Science Digital @ UNGA 75)SKA Observatory2020-10-07 | Antony Schinckel, the head of CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science’s SKA Programme, discusses local engagement activities working with the Indigenous communities where the SKA will be sited. Presentation slides available here: tinyurl.com/yxa5qu4t
Experts from across the SKA world presented a series of talks as part of the Science Digital @UNGA 75 side events in September 2020, focusing on how science can advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The DARA project (Science Digital @ UNGA 75)SKA Observatory2020-10-07 | Prof. Anna Scaife of The University of Manchester discusses the DARA human capital development project, which uses radio astronomy skills to help to drive economic development in Africa. Presentation slides available here: tinyurl.com/yy8cetzm
Experts from across the SKA world presented a series of talks as part of the Science Digital @UNGA 75 side events in September 2020, focusing on how science can advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).SKA: generating global impact now and into the future (Science Digital @ UNGA 75)SKA Observatory2020-10-07 | William Garnier, SKAO Director of Communications, Outreach and Education, discusses the global impact of the SKA. Presentation slides available here: tinyurl.com/yx92ptqd
Experts from across the SKA world presented a series of talks as part of the Science Digital @UNGA 75 side events in September 2020, focusing on how science can advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).SKA overview, the global context and connection to SDGs (Science Digital @ UNGA 75)SKA Observatory2020-10-07 | Experts from across the SKA world presented a series of talks as part of the Science Digital @UNGA 75 side events in September 2020, focusing on how science can advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In this video, Daan du Toit, Deputy Director-General: International Cooperation and Resources, Department of Science and Technology, South Africa, and SKA Director-General Professor Philip Diamond, open proceedings with an overview of the SKA and its connection to the SDGs. Presentation slides available here: tinyurl.com/y3dp8g6yMeet Jacque Stoddart - Low Digitisation Project Manager, SKAOSKA Observatory2020-03-27 | Meet Jacque Stoddart - Low Digitisation Project Manager, at the SKA Organisation. Over the past couple of years, various antenna prototypes for the future SKA-Low telescope have been installed & successfully tested at the SKA site in Western Australia. We talked to the international team working on these prototypes to learn more about their work, challenges and the international collaboration needed to deliver something like the SKA.Meet Jader Monari - Electronic Engineer, INAFSKA Observatory2020-03-27 | Meet Jader Monari, Electronic Engineer at the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics. Over the past couple of years, various antenna prototypes for the future SKA-Low telescope have been installed & successfully tested at the SKA site in Western Australia. We talked to the international team working on these prototypes to learn more about their work, challenges and the international collaboration needed to deliver something like the SKA.Meet Steven Tingay - Deputy Executive Director, ICRARSKA Observatory2020-03-27 | Meet Professor Steven Tingay, Deputy Executive Director of ICRAR. Over the past couple of years, various antenna prototypes for the future SKA-Low telescope have been installed & successfully tested at the SKA site in Western Australia. We talked to the international team working on these prototypes to learn more about their work, challenges and the international collaboration needed to deliver something like the SKA.Meet Mia Walker - Instrument Support Engineer, ICRARSKA Observatory2020-03-27 | Meet Mia Walker - Instrument Support Engineer at ICRAR. Over the past couple of years, various antenna prototypes for the future SKA-Low telescope have been installed & successfully tested at the SKA site in Western Australia. We talked to the international team working on these prototypes to learn more about their work, challenges and the international collaboration needed to deliver something like the SKA.Meet Filippo Zerbi - INAF Scientific DirectorSKA Observatory2020-03-27 | Meet Filippo Zerbi, Scientific Director at the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics. Over the past couple of years, various antenna prototypes for the future SKA-Low telescope have been installed & successfully tested at the SKA site in Western Australia. We talked to the international team working on these prototypes to learn more about their work, challenges and the international collaboration needed to deliver something like the SKA.Meet Jack Morgan-Webster - Electrician, Gco ElectricalSKA Observatory2020-03-27 | Meet electrician Jack Morgan-Webster, who works for Gco Electrical. Over the past couple of years, various antenna prototypes for the future SKA-Low telescope have been installed & successfully tested at the SKA site in Western Australia. We talked to the international team working on these prototypes to learn more about their work, challenges and the international collaboration needed to deliver something like the SKA.Meet David Solan - SKA-Low Infrastructure and Field Node Project ManagerSKA Observatory2020-03-26 | Meet David Solan - he's the SKA-Low Infrastructure and Field Node Project Manager. Over the past couple of years, various antenna prototypes for the future SKA-Low telescope have been installed & successfully tested at the SKA site in Western Australia. We talked to the international team working on these prototypes to learn more about their work, challenges and the international collaboration needed to deliver something like the SKA.Meet Daniel Hayden - SKA-Low System EngineerSKA Observatory2020-02-17 | Meet Daniel Hayden, System Engineer working on SKA-Low. Over the past couple of years, various antenna prototypes for the future SKA-Low telescope have been installed & successfully tested at the SKA site in Western Australia. We talked to the international team working on these prototypes to learn more about their work, challenges and the international collaboration needed to deliver something like the SKA.Meet Maria Grazia Labate - SKA-Low Telescope EngineerSKA Observatory2020-02-10 | Meet Dr. Maria Grazia Labate, SKA-Low Telescope Engineer. Over the past couple of years, various antenna prototypes for the future SKA-Low telescope have been installed & successfully tested at the SKA site in Western Australia. We talked to the international team working on these prototypes to learn more about their work, challenges and the international collaboration needed to deliver something like the SKA.Designing the SKA - the Low Frequency Aperture ArraySKA Observatory2020-01-10 | The international engineering consortium tasked with designing the SKA’s low-frequency telescope (SKA-Low), to be sited in Western Australia, has completed its work after six years of international collaboration. The consortium’s work included not only the design of the SKA-Low antennas, of which there will be some 130,000 in the first phase of construction, but also the low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) which will boost the faint astronomical signals being received, and digital processing for each antenna station.Designing the SKA - experts endorse the telescopes overall design!SKA Observatory2019-12-20 | Great news to mark the end of 2019: the SKA has passed a major engineering milestone after a positive overall design, costing & planning review by independent experts from major astronomical facilities, bringing to a close six years of hard work by hundreds of engineers and scientists in more than 20 countries around the world. The next task will be to put together the SKA’s construction proposal in 2020!
Find out more about this major step here:Meet Andre Van Es - SKA-low Project ManagerSKA Observatory2019-12-13 | Meet Andre Van Es - SKA-low Project Manager. Over the past couple of years, various antenna prototypes for the future SKA-low telescope have been installed & successfully tested at the SKA site in Western Australia. We talked to the international team working on these prototypes to learn more about their work, challenges and the international collaboration needed to deliver something like the SKA.Building a giant telescope in the outback - part 2SKA Observatory2019-12-13 | Over the past couple of years, various antenna prototypes have been installed & successfully tested at the SKA site in outback Western Australia in preparation for construction of the world's largest radio telescope. We talked to the international team working on these prototypes to learn more about their work, the challenges they've faced and the international collaboration needed to deliver something on the scale of the SKA!Team SKA at the 2019 SKA Shanghai MeetingSKA Observatory2019-12-02 | Hear from Team SKA scientists who took part in the 2019 SKA Shanghai Meeting, talking about operations, commissioning and SKA regional centres, and why it's so important to consider these matters now.SARAOs Thomas Abbott on operating large radio telescopesSKA Observatory2019-11-28 | Thomas Abbott, programme manager for SKA precursor telescope MeerKAT in South Africa, talks about why he's at the 2019 SKA Shanghai Meeting to discuss operations.Prof. Anna Scaife on SKA Regional CentresSKA Observatory2019-11-28 | Prof. Anna Scaife travelled to the 2019 SKA Shanghai Meeting to talk about SKA Regional Centres (SRCs) - she told us why it's important to discuss SRCs at this point in the SKA project.SKA System Scientist Dr. Robert Laing on commissioning a radio telescopeSKA Observatory2019-11-27 | At the 2019 SKA Shanghai Meeting, SKA System Scientist Dr. Robert Laing explains why discussions are taking place on commissioning the SKA.Mia Walker talks MWA science in ShanghaiSKA Observatory2019-11-26 | Mia Walker, project officer for the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) SKA precursor telescope, talks about her role in the 2019 SKA Shanghai Meeting. Mia works with ICRAR and Curtin University and has also been involved in SKA-Low prototyping work in Western Australia.What the SKA means to ChinaSKA Observatory2019-11-25 | The SKA Shanghai Meeting kicked off on 25 November with around 250 scientists and engineers present to plan the next phases of the SKA! Watch China’s Ministry of Science and Technology Vice Minister Huang Wei discuss what it means to be part of the international collaboration that is the SKA.SKA looks ahead to landmark meeting in ShanghaiSKA Observatory2019-08-19 | The SKA community is gearing up for one of the biggest events in this year’s project calendar – the 2019 SKA Shanghai Meeting: Concluding our Past, Realising our Future. SKA Director-General Prof. Philip Diamond explains what's different about this meeting and what's on the agenda.The view from SKA HQ - Data Centre Scientist Rosie BoltonSKA Observatory2019-08-19 | SKA Data Centre Scientist Dr. Rosie Bolton tells us how SKA Global Headquarters facilitates her work, to mark the SKA Global Headquarters inauguration on 10 July 2019.