Short description
In the era of technological advancement astronomers want to build the most powerful telescope ever, to see back to before the first stars and galaxies formed. The SKA will be a radio telescope - instead of seeing light waves, it will make pictures from ra
Long description
In the era of technological advancement astronomers want to build the most powerful telescope ever, to see back to before the first stars and galaxies formed. The SKA will be a radio telescope - instead of seeing light waves, it will make pictures from radio waves. Sarah Wild's Searching African Skies is the story of South African radio astronomy and the quest to hear the songs of the stars. What, exactly, is the Square Kilometre Array? How did South Africa end up bidding against Australia to host the largest scientific instrument on Earth? What does it hope to find in outer space? Are we alone in the universe? Will we be able to see as far back as the big bang? And can a developing country justify building a massive radio telescope at the expense of housing, healthcare and meeting basic needs? Jacana presents the book that shall answer these questions.
Customer reviews & ratings
Write a review for this product.
Rate this product.
Finally, a real explanation of the SKA
Reviewed by Unknown from Johannesburg, South Africa on 18 July 2012
You hear a lot about the SKA in South Africa, but nobody ever tells you what it means - for science, for communities, for the country, for the continent. This book finally delivers that explanation. And, surprisingly, it is fun and funny as well as informative.
Was this review helpful? 
