Special TSI Seminar

Radio Astronomy in Africa: From the Mauritius Radio Telescope (MRT) to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA)

Radhakrishna Somanah

Université des Mascareignes (Mauritius)

The emergence of radio astronomy in Africa represents a significant milestone in our quest to understand the cosmos. This talk will delve into the burgeoning field of radio astronomy on the African continent, highlighting some of its rich history, current achievements, and promising future prospects. The core of the presentation will focus on the state-of-the-art radio telescopes and observatories that have transformed the African skies into windows to the universe. Notable facilities, such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) precursor telescopes, and their innovative technologies will be discussed. We will examine the diverse range of research initiatives undertaken by African astronomers. These span from probing the mysteries of pulsars and quasars to mapping the cosmic microwave background radiation, uncovering the cosmic web, and conducting wide-field surveys. The talk will conclude with a forward-looking perspective, envisioning the future of radio astronomy in Africa. Anticipated advancements, including the eventual completion of the SKA, will be explored.