A new SKA Organisation has been formed by partners in Australia, New Zealand, China, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and South Africa to govern the Square Kilometre Array telescope and make the host site selection early in 2012.

 

Minister for Innovation Senator Kim Carr said formation of the organisation formalises Australia’s relationships with international partners and centralises SKA leadership.

 

The Australia-New Zealand bid to host the €1.5 billion radio telescope is one of two bids undergoing a rigorous site selection process. A coalition of African nations is also competing for the site.

 

The SKA will comprise over 3,000 antennas over a 5,500 kilometre baseline that, operating together, will have 10,000 times the potential of existing telescopes to make new discoveries.

 

For more information visit www.ska.gov.au.