The cradle of life and the SKA
Paper in proceeding, 2014

We provide an overview of the exciting capabilities of the SKA in the Cradle of Life theme. With the deployment of the high frequency band 5 receivers, the phase 1 of the SKA can conduct headline science in the study of the earliest stages of grain growth in proto-planetary disks. SKA1-MID can map the 2 cm continuum emission at a resolution of 4 au in the nearest systems and therefore begin to probe the distribuion of cm-sized particles across the snow line. This frequency range will also enable deep searches for pre-biotic molecules such as amino acids from pre-stellar cores to the cold, outer regions of proto-planetary disks where cometary material forms. The lowest frequency capabilities of SKA1 can be used to examine the magnetic fields of exo-planets via their auroral radio emission. This gives unique insight into their interiors and could potentially detect exo-moons. Across the full frequency range, the SKA1 will also carry out systematic, volume-limited searches of exo-planet systems for signals from technologically advanced civilizations. The sensitivity of SKA1 means that these only need to be at the level of typical airport radar signals in the nearest systems. Hence, the SKA1 can conduct high impact science from the first steps on the road to planets and life, through areas affecting the habitability of planets, and ultimately, to whether we are alone in the Galaxy. These inspirational themes will greatly help in the effort to bring SKA1 science to a wide audience and to ensure the progression to the full SKA.

Author

M. G. Hoare

University of Leeds

L. Perez

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

T. L. Bourke

Jodrell Bank Observatory

L. Testi

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU)

European Southern Observatory (ESO)

Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory

I. Jimenez-Serra

University College London (UCL)

European Southern Observatory (ESO)

P. Zarka

LESIA - Laboratoire d'Etudes Spatiales et d'Instrumentation en Astrophysique

A. Siemion

Radboud University

University of California

Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON)

H. J. V. Langevelde

JIVE

Leiden University

L. Loinard

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

G. Anglada

Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA)

A. Belloche

MPIfR

Per Bergman

Chalmers, Earth and Space Sciences, Onsala Space Observatory

Other publications Research

Roy Booth

Chalmers, Earth and Space Sciences

Other publications Research

P. Caselli

MPA

C. J. Chandler

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

C. Codella

Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory

G. Hallinan

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

J. Lazio

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

I. S. Morrison

University of New South Wales (UNSW)

Swinburne University of Technology

L. Podio

Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory

A. Remijan

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

J. Tarter

SETI Institute

Proceedings of Science

18248039 (eISSN)

Vol. 9-13-June-2014

Subject Categories

Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology

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7/12/2024

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