Outcomes of MeerKAT call for observing proposals

Last year, the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) issued a call for observing proposals to use its MeerKAT telescope, an SKA precursor. Having just completed the assessment of the submitted proposals, here are summarised the outcomes of this very successful call.

This was the first call open to the international community since MeerKAT was inaugurated in 2018, and proved extremely popular: 3400 hours of telescope time were requested – 3.4 times more than available – by 113 Principal Investigators from 18 countries. This represents a large time pressure by comparison to sister facilities.

With the goal of minimising unconscious biases in the review process, SARAO introduced a double-blind methodology: expert anonymous science assessors and the review panel were not aware of the identity of the proposing teams.

Following the review, telescope time was awarded to half of the proposals received. The abstracts of these projects point to the breadth of science cases addressing numerous questions in modern astrophysics for which MeerKAT is particularly well suited – showing in a tangible way how MeerKAT is now paving the way for the SKA.

The accepted programme includes proposals led by researchers from 13 SKA countries – and, particularly gratifying for SARAO, South African-based PIs lead 1/3 of the submitted and accepted proposals, demonstrating the strength of the young and growing South African radio astronomy community. It’s also notable that a number of the accepted projects will use MeerKAT in conjunction with SKA precursors and pathfinders such as ASKAP, FAST, uGMRT, and LOFAR.

Observations have already started for some of the projects just selected, with the data now in the hands of the PIs – the coming scientific discoveries are expectantly awaited!

By Dr Fernando Camilo (Chief Scientist, SARAO)