[imagesource:wikimediacommons]

The Karoo is semi-arid and sparse.

But that is the perfect spot to put a technological marvel that can transform our understanding of the cosmos.

Near the small Northern Cape town of Carnarvon, the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory operates the famous MeerKAT radio telescope. Not only has this marvel unlocked cosmic mysteries, but it’s also fostered scientific collaboration and nurtured local scientific talent.

As South Africa’s largest scientific infrastructure project of the last 30 years since democracy, MeerKAT has become a beacon of innovation and opportunity on the African continent, per The Conversation.

It’s made up of 64 dishes, each 13.5 metres in diameter, and is a precursor to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project. When it’s fully up and running – currently estimated to be in 2028 or 2029 – the SKA will be the world’s most powerful radio telescope.

Over the past five years, MeerKAT has significantly advanced South African and global scientific endeavours, with its super sensitivity and top-notch resolution, giving astronomers the power to dive deep into the nitty-gritty of the Universe like never before.

Take, for instance, MeerKAT’s knack for picking up faint radio signals, which has led to some pretty mind-blowing discoveries in transient astronomy. This field is all about studying stuff in space that changes characteristics on relatively short timescales. Back in 2017, the telescope was spot on keeping tabs on two neutron stars that crashed into each other. These kinds of studies, looking at different wavelengths, are key to getting a grip on these super high-energy events. It’s like we’ve got a front-row seat to the universe’s wildest moments, thanks to discoveries like this one.

MeerKAT’s fascinating findings don’t stop there. In one project, MeerKAT was used to observe the centre of our galaxy, the Milky Way. The team was able to peep at something pretty wild for the first time: those magnetic threads wrapping around the supermassive black hole smack dab in the centre of our galaxy. Now, when we say “supermassive,” we’re talking about something crazy dense, like a million suns crammed into one. Its pull is so hardcore that not even light can break free. The research provided valuable insights into the dynamic processes that shape the galactic environment.

Plus, MeerKAT’s been leading the charge on a bunch of galaxy surveys that are totally flipping our ideas about how the cosmos evolves. The Laduma, Mightee, and Mhongoose surveys are all about charting the distribution of galaxies and where neutral hydrogen gas hangs out. These surveys aren’t just about beefing up our cosmic IQ; they’re also laying down the groundwork for what’s next in space snooping.

One of the coolest finds from the Mightee survey is the identification of these massive radio galaxies, which are vast structures stretching across millions of light-years. At their core, there’s these supermassive black holes pumping out crazy radio waves to keep them going, and thanks to MeerKAT, we’ve been able to observe and study these cosmic beasts like never before, peeping into their secrets in ways we never thought possible.

One intriguing find from the Laduma project is the discovery of an OH megamaser, which is a cosmic amplifier fueled by the intense radiation emitted by active galactic centres. It stands out as one of the most potent sources of maser emission in the Universe, capable of amplifying radio waves by factors of millions. The Laduma team spotted this OH megamaser in a distant galaxy, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of galactic nuclei and the mechanisms guiding their evolution.

On another note, the Mhongoose survey has been a goldmine of data regarding the whereabouts and characteristics of neutral hydrogen gas in nearby galaxies. By charting out where this gas hangs out, astronomers can track how galaxies move and find out where the gas stash is that powers star birth and galaxy expansion. This intel is key for piecing together how gas, stars, and dark matter team up to mould galaxies as they evolve through cosmic history.

Considering the slew of groundbreaking finds MeerKAT has already made, it’s shaping up to be a real discovery powerhouse, set to keep pushing the limits of space exploration right into the SKA era.

[source:theconversation]