Learners in Grades 8 to 11 have two weeks left to enter a competition about Africa’s bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).
Learners in Grades 8 to 11 have two weeks left to enter a competition about Africa’s bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).
Organised by the Department of Science and Technology, the competition is raising awareness about the international mega telescope, which will be used to collect radio waves from planets, stars, galaxies and much more – right back to the beginning of time.
The Executive Director of the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), Beverley Damonse, says: “By targeting the youth, this competition is reaching out to the very people who represent the future of science in our country. The voice of the youth will assist in securing the SKA bid for Africa."
The SKA will consist of approximately 3 000 dish-shaped antennae and other hybrid receiving technologies. If Africa wins the bid, the core of the telescope will be constructed near Carnarvon in the Karoo region of the Northern Cape, with outlying stations of about 30 to 40 antennae located in African partner countries.
These antennae will be connected via a data communications network to a data-processing facility and the combined collecting area of the SKA will add up to one square kilometre. South Africa is currently building a precursor instrument near the site proposed for the SKA.
The Karoo Array Telescope (MeerKAT), which will consist of approximately 64 dishes, will be among the largest and most powerful telescopes in the world in its own right, and will develop technologies needed for the SKA
By answering five easy questions, learners can win laptops, iPods, printers or SKA SA branded clothing and bags. Entry forms can be downloaded from the following websites: www.saasta.ac.za, www.ska.ac.za and www.dst.gov.za and are also available at secondary schools and science centres around the country.
Entries marked "MeerKAT-SKA Schools Competition" may be posted to PO Box 1758, Pretoria, 0001, or delivered to SAASTA, Didacta Building, 211 Skinner Street, Pretoria. The competition closes on 31 October.
