SKA and ngVLA projects explore scientific alliance

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by Cassandra Cavallaro on 26 June 2019
The Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) and Square Kilometre Array (SKA) projects are currently investigating a process to establish a scientific alliance that may result in an exchange of observing time across an unprecedented suite of cutting-edge telescopes spanning more than 3 orders of magnitude in observing frequency (50MHz – 116 GHz).
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Artists’ impressions of the Square Kilometre Array (left), which will operate from 50 MHz – 14 GHz, and the Next Generation Very Large Array (right), which will cover a frequency range from 1.2 – 116 GHz.

Such an alliance will yield unparalleled capabilities for investigating the most pressing astrophysical problems of our time, including the formation and evolution of the Universe, galaxies, stars and planets. While many details about the nature of any such scientific alliance remain to be resolved, both Observatories agreed they should be ambitious in exploring the possibilities of this type of arrangement in future.

After a productive initial meeting, we look forward to continuing the alliance discussions and meeting again in approximately 18 months, at which time SKA should have begun construction activities and ngVLA will be continuing design/development activities. One tangible outcome of the first meeting was an agreement to hold a joint SKA/ngVLA science meeting in 2021, details to be announced in due course.

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