TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: India’s recent decision to become a full member of SKA marks a significant advancement, previously contributing to the project and now committing Rs 1,250 crore towards the construction phase.
EXPLANATION:
- The Square Kilometer Array (SKA) is a colossal global scientific endeavor aimed at constructing the world’s largest radio telescope.
- It operates as an amalgamation of thousands of dish antennas.
SKA Project:
- SKA’s design involves numerous smaller antennas installed in array formations across locations in South Africa and Australia.
- The project aims to provide an effective area of one square kilometer for collecting radio waves, although the final outcome might have a reduced collecting area but retains the original name.
- Construction has commenced at both sites, with the project’s initial phase slated for completion in the near future.
India’s Benefits as a Full Member:
- Despite no physical SKA facility in India, full membership promises substantial scientific opportunities.
- India’s advanced capabilities in radio astronomy, exemplified by the Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope (GMRT) near Pune, position it favorably to leverage SKA’s advanced capabilities.
- Access to preferential time allocation on the SKA telescope for member countries, presenting enhanced opportunities for Indian researchers.
- Emphasis on cutting-edge technology, offering India an opportunity to participate in advanced technology domains, including electronics, computing, and materials science.
- Intellectual properties generated by SKA would be accessible to member countries, fostering learning opportunities for scientists, academia, and private industry.
- India’s involvement in SKA is led by the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) in Pune, with 22 institutions contributing to SKA-related activities across the country.
India’s Role and Contributions:
- India’s involvement in SKA dates back to the project’s inception in the 1990s, contributing significantly to the telescope’s design, development, and the SKA Observatory Convention.
- Plans for establishing an SKA regional center in India to process and store data for the scientific community.
- Indian scientists are planning diverse research endeavors utilizing SKA telescopes, spanning the evolution of the early universe, galactic formation, neutron star physics, and solar sciences.
Conclusion:
- India’s ascension to full membership in the SKA project signifies a monumental stride in international scientific collaboration.
- It offers the nation an expansive platform for cutting-edge research and technological advancement in the realm of radio astronomy.