An international partnership is working to build the world's biggest radio telescope, named Square Kilometer Array (SKA). This week, scientists, engineers and officials from various countries are gathering in Shanghai to plan the next phase of the project.

What is SKA?

SKA is not a single telescope but rather a collection of telescopes, called an array, spread over long distances. It will be constructed in Australia and South Africa with a later expansion in both countries and into other African countries.

Philip Diamond, director general of the SKA, told CGTN that while the project's main goal is to find out what happens in space, it would be even better if something good to benefit society comes out of it too.

China a key player in SKA

Shen Zhiqiang, director general of the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that his organization had been involved from the very beginning. He added that the project was based on international collaboration, and that his institution had started doing whatever it could to contribute on behalf of China's participation to the SKA.

From Monday to Thursday this week, more than 250 scientists, engineers and officials are gathering in Shanghai to offer their input and experiences for the huge project.

What will SKA do?

The SKA will combine signals received via thousands of small antennae in Australia and South Africa, simulating a single giant radio telescope with a total collecting area of approximately one square kilometer. China is one of the founding members of the project.

It has already received and analyzed data from some pilot projects. This prototype will help advance the construction and operation of the future SKA regional centers.

China's Vice Minister of Science and Technology Huang Wei said that the Chinese government and the science, technology and industry communities have made many preparations to participate in the project over the past 7 years. China has developed several astronomical observation facilities, including FAST and Tianma.

Diamond said that China sits at the top table, bringing a lot of technological expertise, engineering and design expertise as well as scientists.

When will the SKA be ready?

The construction of SKA is planned to start in early 2021. While issues including funding, schedules and logistics are to be settled, the countries involved hope to soon be using this giant telescope to study the nature of gravity and explore the origins of life.