SKA-India Consortium
The Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the next generation radio telescope, is now entering the design stage for SKA phase-I, that has started in November 2013 and will run for three years, after which SKA-I construction will start towards the end of 2017. Early science is expected to be possible from around 2020 or so. The capabilities of SKA-I will be phenomenal, for a variety of science goals and applications, and will far surpass that of any existing or planned radio astronomy facility. The SKA is a truly international telescope, with India being one of the member countries in the SKA Organisation and hence involved in the design and operation of SKA-I.
SKA has already formed a number of science working groups which are working towards achieving their long term science programs. This is an opportune moment for astronomers in India to start working on a long-term strategy towards the use of the SKA in the country.
A one day workshop titled "Science with the SKA" was held in IISER Mohali on 19 March 2014 to discuss possible science activities within India which would be appropriate preparation for doing science with the SKA, when it is ready. One of the major outcomes of the meeting was the formation of science working groups (SWGs). The main function of these groups will be to facilitate SKA-relevant scientific discussions within the Indian community, interact with the international SWGs of the SKA, hold training schools within India to get more people involved in SKA-related science and so on.
Anyone interested in joining the SWGs can get in touch with the co-ordinators of the respective group; the list of co-ordinators can be found here.
Useful Links
SKA-India Science Book - Version 1
Summary of the meeting held at NCRA, Pune on 16 February 2015
Summary of the meeting held at IISER, Mohali on 19 March 2014
Slides of talks presented meeting held at IISER, Mohali on 19 March 2014
Meetings/Workshops/Conferences in related science areas in India