The SKA-Low telescope, currently under construction in Western Australia’s Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, captured images of 85 galaxies in March 2025 using only 1,024 of its planned 131,072 antennas. According to the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), this performance—achieved with less than one percent of the final array—exceeded initial scientific expectations and confirms the viability of the telescope’s core engineering design.
How does the SKA-Low antenna array function?
Unlike traditional radio telescopes that rely on a single massive dish, SKA-Low utilizes a distributed array of spindly, Christmas-tree-shaped antennas. Each antenna captures low-frequency radio waves, which are then combined electronically to function as one unified instrument. By spreading thousands of these structures across the Wajarri Yamaji Country, the observatory creates a coherent, high-sensitivity radio telescope capable of surveying vast swaths of the sky.
The March 2025 test image covered 25 square degrees of the sky. That is roughly the area occupied by 100 full Moons, allowing researchers to observe 85 distinct galaxies simultaneously.
Why does using less than one percent of the array matter?
The early success of the 1,024-antenna configuration serves as a critical technical validation. Building the facility requires precise timing and synchronization of signals across tens of thousands of individual receivers. According to the SKAO, the ability to produce a crisp, scientifically usable image with such a small fraction of the total hardware proves that the software and engineering architecture can successfully scale. As more stations go online, the sensitivity and sharpness of the images are expected to increase exponentially.
What will the telescope achieve when fully operational?
Once completed, SKA-Low will consist of 131,072 antennas arranged in hundreds of stations. The primary scientific goal is to probe the “cosmic dawn”—the period when the first stars and galaxies ignited and cleared the neutral hydrogen fog that permeated the early universe. While the initial images are designed to map bright radio galaxies, the full-scale array will eventually possess the sensitivity required to detect the faint, subtle whispers of the universe’s first light.
Track the progress of the array through 2026. Projections indicate that once 68 stations are operational, the telescope’s capacity will jump from viewing dozens of galaxies to revealing hundreds of thousands in the same field of view.
What is the timeline for the telescope’s expansion?
Construction is an ongoing, multi-year project that will continue through the end of the decade. Each new station added to the desert floor functions as both a construction milestone and a scientific upgrade. The observatory is part of a larger international effort, which includes the SKA-Mid array currently being built in South Africa, designed to complement the low-frequency capabilities of the Australian site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the SKA-Low telescope located?
The telescope is located in the remote Western Australian outback at a site called Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, on Wajarri Yamaji Country.
How many antennas will the finished telescope have?
The completed SKA-Low array will feature 131,072 antennas spread across hundreds of stations.
What is the main scientific purpose of SKA-Low?
The telescope is built to observe low-frequency radio waves, specifically to study the cosmic dawn and the era of reionisation, providing insights into how the first stars and galaxies formed.
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