The SKA
(Square Kilometer Array) is
a new revolutionary aperture synthesis radio telescope, that will
combine signal from a network of antennas distributed over more than
3000 kilometres, to simulate a telescope having a collection surface
equal to 1 square km and a large field of view.
The SKA will operate over a very
large frequency range with a 50x
sensitivity improvement over current radio telescopes and a 100x survey
speed. The SKA project will develop innovative technology for receiving
systems, signal transport and computing.
The SKA is a very ambitious
and demanding project that requires world-wide financial support. On
the other hand it will provide important technological advances, and a
strong industrial return.
Italy is strongly interested in the
SKA
project, and is one of the countries that last November signed up for
the SKA Organization, an independent body that will coordinate the
design phases of the SKA project.
With the first National SKA
Workshop
(Rome, June 19-20) INAF intends to bring together the Italian community
interested to the SKA project, to discuss
both scientific and technological aspects of the project, and to
explore possible collaborations.
The ultimate scope of the workshop
is to provide a comprehensive
picture of the existing SKA-related expertises and interests in Italy
and to start exploring a possible Italian pathway to the SKA.
The
workshop program includes both invited and contributed talks on all
science/technology topics relevant for the SKA. Participants are
invited to present to the community ideas/projects/activities of
interest for the SKA, also in synergy with other astronomical facilities.
The
deadline for registration and abstract submission is April 30th, 2012.
No registration fee will be asked to participants.