Preparing for Solar and Heliospheric Science with the SKAO: An Indian Perspective

TL;DR

This paper discusses India's preparations and strategic efforts to leverage the SKAO for groundbreaking solar and heliospheric research, highlighting the potential for new discoveries and scientific advancements.

Contribution

It presents an overview of India's current and planned activities to engage with SKAO precursor instruments for solar and heliospheric science.

Findings

India is actively preparing for SKAO-based solar research.

Significant progress has been made in developing relevant instrumentation.

Future goals include leading scientific investigations with SKAO data.

Abstract

The Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) is perhaps the most ambitious radio telescope envisaged yet. It will enable unprecedented studies of the Sun, the corona and the heliosphere and help to answer many of the outstanding questions in these areas. Its ability to make a vast previously unexplored phase space accessible, also promises a large discovery potential. The Indian solar and heliospheric physics community have been preparing for this science opportunity. A significant part of this effort has been towards playing a leading role in pursuing science with SKAO precursor instruments. This article briefly summarises the current status of the various aspects of work done as a part of this enterprise and our future goals.