Astronomers gather virtually for UK SKA science meeting

BY DR HILARY KAY (THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER – UK SKA)

The UK SKA Science Committee held a Town Hall meeting in March, aimed at encouraging scientists at all career stages to engage with the SKA project.

More than 120 astronomers attended virtually across the UK to hear the latest news and discuss the UK’s long-term involvement in SKA science.

SKAO Science Director Prof. Robert Braun and Project Scientist Dr Anna Bonaldi, provided a timely update on recent developments during what has been an unprecedented year for the project, along with an overview of the SKA science drivers. Prof. Matt Jarvis, from the University of Oxford, concluded the talks with a summary of the myriad of SKA pathfinder and precursor projects and surveys, which play an essential role in preparing future SKA users with experience of working with large, complex datasets.

A whistle-stop tour of the SKA key science areas followed, with Science Working Group (SWG) representatives outlining how scientists can engage with the SKA project (presentations are available on the meeting website). A series of breakout sessions enabled participants to join SWG members to discuss new scientific results and future projects.

“The Town Hall meeting was a most enjoyable and informative afternoon, showing again the interest and energy of the UK’s SKA community. I was particularly pleased to see new early career researchers asking questions about how to get more involved in the SKA effort,”said Science Committee Chair Dr David Bacon.