After many years of planning, construction on the world's largest radio telescope is due to begin in the coming years. The SKA is an intergovernmental organisation, bringing together astronomers from around the world. While the SKA operational headquarters are based at Jodrell Bank, the telescopes will be built in Southern Africa and Western Australia. In advance of the SKA, South Africa built the precursor telescope MeerKAT, which itself is already the premier radio telescope worldwide. Our speaker will talk about the telescopes, and my ongoing work using data from MeerKAT, including describing the new discoveries made possible by this world-class telescope. Natasha will also discuss ongoing international efforts to use radio astronomy as a vehicle for development in African SKA partner countries.
Dr. Natash Maddoxis a lecturer in the astrophysics in the School of Physics, at the University of Bristol. Originally from Canada, I completed my PhD in Cambridge, and have held research positions in Germany, the Netherlands, and South Africa. Natasha uses optical and radio telescopes to observe understand galaxy evolution. Much of this work uses large datasets containing millions of galaxies.
======================================================
This hybrid meeting will be available on Zoom and ticket holders will be emailed with the access codes (also found on here for ticket holders) 24 hours before the event
