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The MeerKAT (South Africa) radio telescope, considered the most powerful in the southern hemisphere of the planet, has immortalized what is happening 25,000 light-years from Earth: half of our occupied galaxy by a huge black hole. ] The MeerKAT image shows the central regions of our galaxy with a large number of unpublished features, as well as a clearer view of previously known supernova remnants, star formation regions and filaments radio. (Credit: SARAO)
At the inauguration of the MeerKAT radio telescope, officialized this Wednesday in Karoo, between southern South Africa and southern Namibia, scientists have presented the clearest image of the Milky Way. A capture made with this powerful tool consisting of 64 satellite dishes 13.5 meters in diameter each, which makes it the best equipped in the southern hemisphere of the planet.
Its ability, precisely, led scientists to immortalize the center of our galaxy, occupied by a huge black hole in the middle. "The center of the galaxy was an obvious target: unique, visually striking and full of unexplained phenomena, but it is also notoriously difficult to be imagined with radio telescopes," said Fernando Camilo, chief scientist of the galaxy. South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO)
This capture is a sample of what is happening 25,000 light years from Earth, behind the constellation Sagittarius, enveloped in clouds of gas and dust. This is why it is so difficult for astronomers to observe the center of the Milky Way through common equipment. This explains why this image, which covers an area of 1000 light-years for 500 light-years, was obtained by MeerKAT and its infrared technology that allows it to open a window thanks to its X-rays and its radio waves. .
MeerKAT, which is part of the SKA project involving eleven countries (Australia, Canada, China, Netherlands, India, Italy, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa and Sweden) should be able to capture images with a resolution 50 times higher than those taken by Hubble, that is to say one of the biggest challenges of science and technology.
"South Africa has seen a revolution in knowledge, and now, with this new instrument, is about to be at the forefront of astronomy and data sciences "said the project director in the middle of today's inauguration.
"South Africa has experienced a knowledge revolution, and now, with this new instrument, it is at the forefront of astronomy and data science," @SKA_DG in his speech #MeerKAT inauguration in South Africa. Read the full text here: https://t.co/KFryoIX2yL pic.twitter.com/c6XBx0RulN
– SquareKilometreArray (@SKA_telescope) July 13, 2018
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