The SKA telescopes in South Africa (left) and Australia (right) consist of many antennas of different sizes. They will provide scientists with huge amounts of data and revolutionize our understanding of the universe. Image: SKAO

On 21 January 2025, Sweden signed up to become a member of one of the world’s largest research collaborations – the SKA Observatory. The event was celebrated in London and Gothenburg. Two advanced telescopes are currently being built in South Africa and Australia. Swedish technology companies are already participating in the construction of the telescopes, which will open doors for researchers to make new discoveries about the universe.

Representatives from the Government Offices of Sweden, the Swedish Research Council and Chalmers University of Technology gathered at the Swedish Embassy in London on January 21 to witness the signing of the SKA Observatory convention by Stefan Gullgren, Sweden’s ambassador to the UK.
At the same time, researchers, company representatives and school students gathered at Chalmers to celebrate and follow the signing in the UK.

“The telescopes will give us new insights into how galaxies, stars and planets came into being, and also provide clues to the existence of life outside Earth,” says Chalmers astronomer John Conway, director of the Onsala Space Observatory. 
Onsala Space Observatory has been the driving force behind Sweden’s participation in the SKA collaboration for several decades.

The signing follows a decision by the Swedish government to join the SKA Observatory,  intergovernmental research organisation dedicated to next-generation radio astronomy. This involves research into the universe using advanced telescopes sensitive to radio waves. The SKA Observatory will provide scientists with enormous amounts of data and will revolutionise our understanding of the cosmos and the laws of fundamental physics.

”As a new member state of the SKA Observatory, Sweden is helping to build, run and participate in the most exciting research of our time about our universe, together with twelve other countries. With this membership, we are investing in the technology of the future, the knowledge of the future, and in basic research of the most inspiring kind,” says Stefan Gullgren, Sweden’s ambassador to the UK.

“Joining the SKAO collaboration strengthens Sweden’s position as a leading nation in knowledge and technology. Access to world-class research infrastructure strengthens the capabilities of Swedish researchers and companies to advance technological development, which is crucial for both the present and the future”, says Johan Pehrson, Swedish Minister for Education.

The Swedish technology companies Qamcom and AAC Omnisys have already been awarded significant contracts for work with the telescopes. In addition, Swedish research institute RISE has been appointed as a test facility for the telescope’s sensitive instruments.