While the first SKA-Low image demonstrated what the early working version of the telescope (AA0.5) could observe, simulations now show how its capabilities will expand as more antennas are added. The initial image covered about 5 × 5 degrees of sky around the bright galaxy PKS 0521-36 (~56 Jy) and already reveals ~85 radio galaxies (all matched to sources in the GLEAM catalogue). Simulations using the GLEAM catalogue and T-RECS models closely match these observations and predict a dramatic increase in detected galaxies as SKA-Low grows. The simulations further predict >4500 galaxies will be detected above 5-sigma in a similar ~8 hr single-pointing observation with AA2 (64 stations), >26000 with AA* (307 stations), and >43,000 with AA4 (512 stations), and ultimately up to ~600,000 galaxies with the full SKA-Low telescope in a deep confusion-limited mosaic (uniform noise) over the same region. These results confirm SKA-Low’s immense potential for revealing a deeper, more detailed view of the Universe.

The images above include the first SKA-Low AA0.5 observation, which already reveals ~85 radio galaxies in a ~5 × 5-degree field of view, alongside simulated observations that illustrate how the number of detectable galaxies increases with more antenna stations (AA2, AA*, AA4). Another image compares a single SKA-Low pointing with a deep mosaic covering the same field, highlighting the telescope’s ultimate capability. The observations have a central frequency of ~163 MHz with a bandwidth of 25 MHz with a 1-sigma sensitivity of ~6 mJy (7 hrs observations).  The native resolution of the observations is ~66” x 36” as the stations in AA0.5 are on short baselines (maximum < 6 km), but has been restored with a beam of 70” for presentation.  With the full SKA-Low a maximum resolution of ~8” will be possible at these frequencies. These simulations provide a glimpse into the groundbreaking discoveries that will be possible with the completed SKA-Low telescope.

Read more in the full SKAO media release.