STAFF REPORTER

The world’s biggest computer – capable of storing the data of 15 million iPods each day – will be needed to power the world’s most powerful telescope which local stargazers want located in Western Australia.

The planned telescope – or Square Kilometre Array – is likely to need the huge computer to handle the gargantuan amount of data it will produce.

The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research – a collaboration between usual arch rivals Curtin University and the University of Western Australia – is working out how to store the data without breaking the bank.

The joint venture is working with the Canadian Astronomical Data Centre to cost a new computer to handle everything the telescope needs for the best price.

The $2 billion telescope project will generate one exabyte – more than 15 million iPods-worth – of raw data a day which would cost hundreds of millions of dollars to store using current technology.

The result of the Australian and New Zealand bid to host the SKA – in competition with a group of southern African countries – is expected in April.

If the Australasian consortium wins, the mega project will be 315 kilometres northeast of Geraldton.

Credit: Artist’s impression of the SKA dishes by SPDO/TDP/DRAO/Swinburne Astronomy Productions.