Imagine the secrets of the universe being unveiled from right here in our little corner of the world, as we become part of the world’s largest and most advanced telescope.

That’s the vision of Australian and Kiwi scientists who are behind our bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). The SKA will be a network of thousands of radio telescopes that link together to look further into space and provide clearer pictures of the cosmos than we have ever seen before. It’s the biggest and most ambitious science project the world has ever embarked upon, and has the potential to redefine our understanding of the universe. Southland is already an active player in space science, and this could be your opportunity to hear about a major initiative that could be coming to New Zealand. We could be part of some of the world’s most important scientific discoveries, continuing the long history New Zealand has in making ground-breaking contributions to physics, from Sir Ernest Rutherford to Alan MacDiarmid.

Now you can hear first-hand from one of the key figures in the SKA working group, Victoria University lecturer Dr Melanie Johnston-Hollitt. Dr Johnston-Hollitt is an expert in radio astronomy and is actively involved in research that telescopes like the SKA make possible.

If the SKA is built here, it will be a fantastic opportunity for Kiwis to be involved in a world-leading project that pushes the boundaries of scientific discovery. It will also present tremendous opportunities for our innovative companies to show the world the great thinking and design that New Zealand can contribute to the project.

And our children’s imaginations can be stimulated as SKA boosts the profile of science and astronomy in our schools and communities.

The joint Australia-New Zealand bid is already well progressed. Scientists, engineers and institutions are working closely together to promote the advantages of our bid, which offers the best views of the Milky Way and among the least radio interference in the world. Both Governments are enthusiastically behind the vision. Now we need your support to help make the vision of SKA a reality here in New Zealand.

You can hear from Dr Johnston-Hollitt on Friday 10 June at 7.00pm – at the ODT Ink Box, Oamaru Opera House, Thames St, Oamaru.