​Australia is a member of the international organisation established to build and operate the world’s largest and most capable radio astronomy facility, the SKA Observatory (SKAO), designed to enable transformational science that will revolutionise our understanding of the Universe.

​The SKA Observatory consists of two radio-telescopes, one in Australia (SKA-Low), and one in South Africa (SKA-Mid). The two telescopes will observe the sky at different radio frequencies and complement each other scientifically.   

​Our role in the SKA project builds on decades of Australian ingenuity at the ATNF that places us among the best in the world in developing infrastructure and technologies for radio astronomy and operating national facilities for the benefit of scientific and broader communities.  

Our telescopes, instrumentation, software and archives drive early SKA-related science, supporting the development of the SKA regional science centres and ensure our facilities play an important role in the SKA-era.

Five radio telescope dishes in the outback point up to a starry sky

Our ASKAP radio telescope

Built on the same site as an SKA telescope, ASKAP is an SKA precursor instrument and has been instrumental in developing technology and infrastructure that will enable the SKA telescopes.

A large radio telescope dish at night.

Murriyang, our Parkes radio telescope

As an SKA pathfinder instrument Murriyang is leading the way to SKA science and technology through the 60+ years its been in operation.

As well as playing the major role of developing the site for the SKA-Low telescope in Australia, we’ve been involved in the SKA project since its conception and we’ve worked with industry, universities and other key science organisations on the final design, prototyping and testing of elements for the SKA telescopes. 

​Our current involvement in the project includes: 

  • ​Operating Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, our Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory on Wajarri Yamaji Country on behalf of the Australian Government, site of the SKA-Low telescope. 
  • Working closely with the Wajarri Yamaji to protect and promote their cultural heritage as the Traditional Owners and Native Title Holders of the observatory land. 
  • ​Helping build the SKA-Low Telescope through construction contracts ranging from overseeing site civil infrastructure to software for the science data processing pipeline.  
  • Working as the SKAO’s Australian partner to build and operate the SKA-Low telescope.
  • Partnering in the Australian SKA Regional Centre (AusSRC)), one in a global network of facilities through which astronomers will access data from the SKA telescopes. The AusSRC has been formed in partnership with The University of Western Australia, Curtin University and the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre with funding from the Australian Government.
  • Preparing for SKA science through our expertise across radio astronomy and our involvement in planning for the SKA telescopes across many science working groups.
Many people smile towards the camera in front of a field of antennas on red earth.

CSIRO and the SKA project

Read more on our contribution to the international SKA project and the benefits to Australia of hosting this mega-science project.

We acknowledge the Wajarri Yamaji as Traditional Owners and Native Title Holders of Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, our Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory site.