In Australia, work has continued as part of the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project, an international initiative to build the world’s largest radio interferometer. The Australian portion of the project, SKA-Low, is located in the western part of Wajarri and consists of 131,072 tree-like antennas focusing on low-frequency signals. The upgraded system is eight times more sensitive than existing instruments, allowing for images from space to be displayed 135 times faster.
The equivalent part of the Square Kilometer Array, SKA-Mid, is located in the Karoo National Park in South Africa and includes 197 satellite dishes emitting medium frequencies.
The combination of these facilities, initially planned in 1991, will form the world’s largest radio interferometer. The instrument is expected to be invaluable in studying the early universe, providing insights into the formation of the first stars, the period of reionization, and helping to explore dark energy and its potential impact on cosmic expansion. The extraordinary sensitivity of the radio interferometer may also aid in the search for extraterrestrial life, although its resolution will limit detailed searches to relatively nearby stars. It is anticipated that the radio interferometer will be operational until 2028, with scientists requiring additional time to gather and decode the results.