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SKAO publishes 2022 annual report
from Contact 14
BY CASSANDRA CAVALLARO (SKAO)
The SKA Observatory’s 2022 Annual Report has been released, charting a year of significant progress across the Observatory that culminated in the start of on-site construction in Australia and South Africa.
The 100-page publication highlights many major developments in 2022, including the Observatory’s growing membership, expanding presence in its telescope host countries, and a huge push on the procurement front that saw 46 contracts signed by the end of the year. This amounted to approximately €470m committed since the start of construction activities in July 2021.
“Despite the geopolitical instability and macroeconomic uncertainty, the performance described in this report attests that the SKAO has remained strong and committed in the pursuit of its goals, working hard through its Council and members,” said SKAO Council Chair Dr Catherine Cesarsky.
Highlights of the year included:
Switzerland joining the SKAO as its eighth member state, with both France and Germany beginning the formal processes to become members.
The signing of key agreements with partner organisations CSIRO and SARAO in the telescope host countries, and the establishment of an interim Engineering Operations Centre in Australia and Science Operations Centre in South Africa.
A growth in membership of the SKA Science Working Groups, with 1,150 astronomers from all over the world involved in the 14 groups during 2022, higher than any previous year.
The SKAO’s growing role in advocating for astronomy on the international stage, as permanent observer at the UN’s Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, and a co-host of the IAU Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference.
SKAO Director-General Prof. Philip Diamond said: “The SKAO’s unwavering commitment to fostering international collaboration in these uncertain and unstable times, pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery, remains steadfast as we continue to advance towards the construction and operation of the world’s largest and most sensitive radio telescopes.”
