Speaker
Description
The epoch of reionization marks the emergence of the first galaxies, which emitted energetic light into the intergalactic medium (IGM), leading to its ionisation and heating. The 21-cm signal produced by neutral hydrogen in the IGM serves as a unique probe of these early light sources, enabling us to measure their impact on the surrounding gas. This signal not only enhances our understanding of the IGM’s evolution but also sheds light on the sources influencing this evolution. Current radio telescopes, such as the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR), Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), and Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA), are working towards statistically detecting this signal. In the near future, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will begin observations and will be powerful enough to not only detect this signal but also produce images of the sky. In this talk, I will review the current progress in detecting the 21-cm signal during reionization and the insights gained about this period. Additionally, I will discuss the capabilities of the SKA in exploring both the astrophysics of reionization and cosmology.
