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Progress with KAT - XDM 2007 April

The eXperimental Development Model (XDM) is a 15-m diameter radio telescope antenna prototype for the Karoo Array Telescope (KAT). It is located at the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO). It is being used to test technology leading up to development of the Square Kilometer Array (SKA).

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2007 04 02 The dish is off the mould.

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2007 04 02 Inspecting the dish. The yellow primer is back in view.

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2007 04 04 Touching up the surface of the dish.

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2007 04 10 Painting the dish.

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2007 04 11 Lifting the dish for installation on the yoke. In the foreground is Justin Jonas, Science Director of the KAT project.

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2007 04 11 The dish inches higher; KAT Project Manager Anita Loots discusses progress.

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2007 04 11 Nearly there.

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2007 04 11 The dish successfully mounted on the yoke.

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2007 04 13 the 15-m XDM dish with the 26-m telescope in the background.

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2007 04 23 The quadripod legs that will support the receivers have been installed.

Find out more about the SKA and KAT at www.ska.ac.za