The United States Square Kilometer Array (USSKA) Consortium has elected UNM Department of Physics and Astronomy Associate Professor Patricia Henning as vice chair. The USSKA Consortium consists of U.S. universities and research institutes that are studying and prototyping technologies under development for the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), a next-generation international radio telescope for the 21st century. Henning’s three-year term begins July 1, 2008.
Photo: Patricia Henning
The SKA, with its vast increase in sensitivity beyond any existing radio telescope, will study the early Universe, including the emergence of the first stars. It will also track galaxy evolution through time. Eventually, the SKA will revolutionize many areas of astronomy, including the study of extra-solar planet formation, and make unique contributions to fundamental physics through strong field tests of gravity using pulsars and black holes. For more information visit: http://www.skatelescope.org/.
The USSKA is a partner with other members of the international consortium, including teams from Australia, Canada, China, Europe, India and South Africa, working to realize this transformational new telescope. For additional information about the USSKA Consortium visit: http://astrosun2.astro.cornell.edu/research/projects/ska//main.shtml.
Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu
Posted by scarr at June 5, 2008 04:28 PM