Western Australia has been short listed to host the international Square Kilometre Array project, or SKA, which is set to transform our understanding of the origins and evolution of the universe and explore fundamental questions in contemporary science.
If built in Australia, the SKA will be the largest single endeavour in the nation’s scientific history and will underpin Western Australia’s technological, scientific and educational interests for the next 50 years.
As part of the Western Australian Museum’s second year of The Harry Butler lecture series: In the Wild West, WA’s chief scientist and series patron Professor Lyn Beazley will discuss Australia and New Zealand’s bid for the project in her public lecture WA: Reaching for the stars.
Professor Beazley said the core site for Australia and New Zealand’s bid is the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory in WA, 315 kilometres north east of Geraldton.
“The project will develop the world’s largest and most advanced radio telescope, with 50 times the sensitivity and 10,000 times the survey speed of today’s best instruments,” Prof. Beazley said.
“In its first hour of operation the 3,000 15-metre dish antennas will generate more information than is currently held in the entire World Wide Web.”
Two potential sites have been short listed to host the project, Australia - New Zealand, and a consortium of nine African countries led by the Republic of South Africa. The final site decision is expected in early 2012.
The Harry Butler lecture series: In the Wild West is proudly presented by the WA Museum in partnership with Chevron Australia. The series showcases the work of Museum scientists, curators and associates in the areas of natural and social sciences.
LECTURE: WA: Reaching for the stars
WHEN: 7.00pm, Monday 13 June 2011.
WHERE: WA Museum – Geraldton, Museum Place, Batavia Coast Marina, Geraldton.
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL: 9921 5080 or online at www.museum.wa.gov.au/inthewildwest
COST: By gold coin donation
