Choose timezone
Your profile timezone:
Maximizing MeerKAT's full potential:the scientific roadmap for band5B
→
Europe/Rome
Aula Ovest (INAF - Osservatorio Astrofisico di Catania)
Aula Ovest
INAF - Osservatorio Astrofisico di Catania
Via Santa Sofia 78, Catania
Description
The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is set to revolutionize radio astronomy by delivering unprecedented sensitivity, survey speed, and image fidelity. Comprising two arrays โ SKA-LOW in Australia and SKA-MID in South Africa โ this international project is expected to be completed around 2029-2030.ย
SKA-MID will feature 197 dishes, including the 64-dish MeerKAT array, and will operate within the 0.4โ15 GHz frequency range.
MeerKAT, built as an SKA precursor in South Africa, has already demonstrated exceptional sensitivity and imaging capabilities since its inauguration in 2018. However, its operational range is currently limited to 0.6โ3.5 GHz, restricting access to the scientifically crucial SKA Band 5 (4.6-15.4 GHz).ย
Additionally, SKA-MIDโs initial deployment of Band 5 receivers will not extend to MeerKATโs 64 dishes, further limiting the arrayโs full potential.
To address this, INAF has secured substantial European funding (PNRR) to enhance MeerKATโs high-frequency capabilities by installing 64 SKA Band 5B (8.3-15.4 GHz) receivers.ย
This upgrade, carried out in collaboration with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), will make MeerKAT the most sensitive centimetre-wave instrument in the Southern Hemisphere at high frequencies until SKA-MID is fully operational.
A high-frequency-capable MeerKAT will open new parameter spaces, enabling discoveries with sub-mJy sensitivity at sub-arcsecond resolution. Its angular resolution capabilities will also complement major observatories like ALMA and JWST, strengthening multi-wavelength
astronomical research.
The Maximizing MeerKATโs full potential: the scientific roadmap for band5B meetingย represents a crucial step in enhancing the scientific impact of the MeerKAT band 5B project.
The primary goal of the meeting is to define the scientific program for the MeerKAT band 5B project, while strengthening its visibility and engagement within the broader scientific community.ย
The scientific program will reflect MeerKATโs new high-frequency capabilities and will count only on invited papers.
The meeting is meant to foster discussion among all the participants and its main expected outcomes will be:
- a White Book compiling the main findings, strategic recommendation, clear guidelines for observation priorities, and future directions discussed during the event, serving as a reference for the scientific community;
- identification of key collaborations and funding opportunities;
- a communication and outreach plan to present the project to the scientific community;
- action items and responsibilities for the next phases of implementation.
ย
Scientific Committee
G. Umana (co-chair), T. Venturi (co-chair), C. Trigilio, I. Prandoni, R. Deane, P. Woudt, F. Camilo, A. Possenti, A. Melis.
ย
Local Committee
ย
F.Bufano, C. Bordiu, F. Cavallaro, A. Ingallinera, S. Loru, A. Ruggeri, A. Trovato
ย
LOC Contact
Registration
Meeting MeerKAT Band5
Participants
