* To be sited in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand
* Scientists reject charge of political expediency
* Will track unexplored areas of cosmos
By Chris Wickham and Sara Webb
LONDON/AMSTERDAM, May 25 (Reuters) – The world’s biggest and
most advanced radio telescope, capable of detecting signs of
extraterrestrial life in the far reaches of the universe, will
be located in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
The decision to split the location of the $2 billion “Square
Kilometre Array” followed intense lobbying by the two leading
bidders, South Africa one side and a joint bid from Australia
and New Zealand on the other.
Scientists leading the project rejected the suggestion that
the decision, which will mean higher costs, meant science had
taken a back seat to political expediency.
“I can’t deny there is a political aspect to the process
because when you are spending very large amounts of public
money, politicians are going to be interested,” said John
Womersley, Chair of the Board of Directors of the SKA
organisation.
“However the decision we took is scientifically motivated,
which in no way compromises the scientific capabilities,” he
said on Friday.
Continued…
