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The United Kingdom has ratified the Convention to establish the SKA
Observatory (SKAO). The Convention stipulates that at least five
nations, including the three host countries – Australia, South Africa
and the UK – must ratify the text for it to enter into force. The UK’s
ratification, following that of its two fellow host countries and
founding members Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal, means SKAO can
now formally be established. SKAO is the intergovernmental
organisation responsible for building and operating the SKA
telescopes, which together will form the world’s largest radio
telescope and will enable scientists to study the universe in more
detail than ever before. The first meeting of the SKAO Council, the
Observatory’s governing body representing Member States, is expected
to take place in early 2021. The image above is a certified copy of
the SKA Observatory Convention which is held at SKAO Headquarters in
the UK. The original is held at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and
Development Office, the depository of the Convention. (Image credit:
SKA Organisation)
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