In S Africa, unique telescope link-up scans deep space
Scientists in South Africa have launched the world's first optical telescope linked to a radio telescope, combining "eyes and ears" to try to unravel the secrets of the universe.
The device forms part of the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project in the remote Karoo desert, which will be the world's most powerful radio telescope system. The latest move combines the new optical telescope MeerLITCH - Dutch for 'more light' - with the recently-completed 64-dish MeerKAT radio telescope, located 200 kilometers away.
Astronomers have previously had to wait for a cosmic incident to be picked up by a radio telescope and then carry out optic observations afterwards. But combining MeerLITCH, in the small town of Sutherland, with MeerKAT, also in the sparsely-populated North Cape province, will allow simultaneous study of cosmic events as they occur.
The project has been six years in the making by a joint-team of South African, Dutch and British scientists.
(Source: AFP)
Columbia students camp on university grounds in support of Palestinians
People in Amman hold protest in support of Palestinians
London demonstration calls for UK to stop exporting arms to Israel
Israeli occupation of Palestine ‘main cause of instability’ in region: Turkish FM
VIDEO | Columbia students camp on university grounds in support of Palestinians
VIDEO | Muslim unity and Palestine
UN Security Council's inaction prompted Iran to attack Israel: FM
Know their names: Palestinian athletes, scouts, coaches killed by Israel in Gaza
'It was not a strike': Iran FM dismisses Israeli weapons as 'children toys'
The struggles of Occupied Palestine
Saadi Day: Ayatollah Khamenei exalts great Persian poet
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
