Square Kilometer Array: The worlds most powerful radio telescope.

Presented by Paul Bourke
Kuching Planetarium. March 2011


Abstract

The Square Kilometer Array (SKA) will be the worlds largest radio telescope that will be at least 50 times more powerful than the current most powerful radio telescope. It will enable astronomers to see the formation of the early Universe, including the emergence of the first stars, galaxies and other structures. While the SKA will not be built until the 2020 time frame, the Australia SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) is being built now in the outback of Western Australia. In this presentation the SKA will be introduced followed by recent photography of the pathfinder dishes in Western Australia where the presenter is based. Also introduced will be the significant technological challenges of the project in terms of computing, networking, storage, and visualisation.

Fulldome shows

A special thanks to Reef Distribution and Softmachine who provided two of their recent productions for presentation on the day.

Realm of Light, a brief history of time.
The film tells in breathtaking pictures the story of the genesis and the evolution of the universe and our world - from the big bang until today. A philosophical approach to the origins of space and our life.

Kaloukahina, the enchanted reef.
The vastness of our planet's oceans guards unimaginable secrets. One of its most precious is "Kaluoka'hina", the enchanted reef whose magic protects it against humans finding it. Kaluoka'hina's colourful inhabitants have thus always lived in peace... until the volcano erupts, and the spell is broken. Now it's up to the young sawfish Jake and his paranoid pal Shorty to restore the magic of Kaluoka'hina. Their only lead: the ancient legend that tells of touching the moon. But how is a fish supposed to touch the moon? This is just one of the intriguing puzzles that Jake and Shorty have to solve on their most exciting adventure ever: the quest to save their beloved reef.

Presentation material: kuching2011.pdf