SKA Science working and focus groups

SKA1 Scientific Use Cases

These use cases highlight some of the scientific objectives that could be enabled by phase 1 of the SKA (SKA1). The science use cases presented here are by no means meant to identify specific surveys or projects that are guaranteed to be carried out with SKA1, nor are they intended to highlight the highest priority science cases. They should be used as a reference for science and engineering staff involved in the design, construction and operations activities.

SKA Science Working Groups (SWGs) and Focus Groups (FGs)

These groups have developed and evolved to provide a conduit for interaction with the astronomical community. They are now intended to cover all science areas that will be addressed with the SKA. All SWGs are open to new self-nominations from prospective members who satisfy the criterion of being accredited researchers in a relevant field of astrophysics and we actively encourage new membership. 

Cosmology

The Cosmology Working Group addresses the history of our universe at redshifts of ~0.5 to ~6. See SKA website for associate members.

Cradle Of Life

This working group addresses the ‘Cradle of life’ comprising topics such as the formation of planets in disk systems around young stars, SETI, exoplanets and complex molecules. For other topics related to science within the Milky Way, please visit the science working group ‘Our Galaxy’.  See SKA website for associate members.

 Epoch Of Reionization

The first of the working groups addressing the history of our universe, looking at the furthest cosmological distances, redshift range ~6 to ~25.  See SKA website for associate members.

Extragalactic Continuum (Galaxies/AGN, Galaxy Clusters)

This working group is focused on the study of continuum emission from galaxies, AGN and galaxy clusters over Cosmic time, including the evolution of the cosmic star-formation rate out to the epoch of reionization.  See SKA website for associate members.

Extragalactic Spectral Line

This is the listing of the (non-HI) extragalactic spectral line science working group, addressing spectral line work not covered by the HI Science Working Group or the Our Galaxy Science Working Group

Gravitational Waves

This working group has a particular focus on Gravitational Wave Science enabled by stand-alone SKA surveys (for example of galaxy clusters) or working in conjunction with GW interferometers in both a direct cross-correlation and a more synergistic mode.

HI Galaxy Science

This working group is focused on the history of gas in our universe through the study of atomic HI line emission and absorption, mainly at redshifts from ~0 to ~1.5.  See SKA website for associate members.

Magnetism

This working group addresses the fundamental physics of cosmic magnetism.  See SKA website for associate members.

Our Galaxy

This is the listing of the Galactic (note the capital ‘G’) science working group, addressing science within the Milky Way.

Pulsars

This working group addresses fundamental physics through the study of pulsars and gravitational waves.  See SKA website for associate members.

Solar, Heliospheric & Ionospheric Physics

A Science Working Group dedicated to Solar, Heliospheric & Ionospheric (SHI) physics.

Transients

This working group addresses transient phenomena and the time variable unknown.  See SKA website for associate members.

High Energy Cosmic Particles (Focus Group)

The High Energy Cosmic Particles (HECP) Focus group is dedicated to the detection of high-energy particles, primarily cosmic rays, interacting in the moon or in the atmosphere above the SKA telescopes.

VLBI

This is the listing of the Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) science working group. VLBI will be performed using SKA1-LOW and SKA1-MID.  See SKA website for associate members.