English

Overview: Cosmology with the SKAO

Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics 2026-07-14 v1

Abstract

The SKA telescopes will revolutionise our ability to do cosmology at radio wavelengths, via both their own data and in synergy with other wavelengths. SKAO will be the first instrument able to conduct large-scale cosmological surveys as done in the last decades in the optical and near-infrared. This complementarity will be vital as cosmology hits the limit of systematic uncertainties. Radio cosmology surveys will have radically different systematics, allowing data combinations across surveys to calibrate systematics and increase overall constraining power. Neutral hydrogen (HI) intensity mapping surveys are now reaching maturity, as demonstrated by the progress made by the MeerKLASS survey with MeerKAT. Along with continuum galaxy surveys, they will provide detailed maps of the Universe covering large fractions of the sky, allowing us to answer questions about fundamental physics which can only be measured on the largest scales. In combination with weak lensing and HI galaxy probes, HI intensity maps will also measure the distributions of matter and velocities to give precisions tests of the Λ\LambdaCDM model, including its foundational assumptions of isotropy and homogeneity. In combination with gravitational wave observations and fast radio bursts, they will also help us measure the expansion history and baryon content of the Universe. Here we provide an overview of the achievements of precursor surveys and the progress towards SKA cosmology, starting with AA* and reaching full maturity with AA4 telescopes.

Cite

@article{arxiv.2607.12887,
  title  = {Overview: Cosmology with the SKAO},
  author = {Marta Spinelli and Ian Harrison and Richard A. Battye and Stefano Camera and Xulei Chen and Roy Maartens and Mario G. Santos and Laura Wolz},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2607.12887},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

Published in Advancing Astrophysics with the SKA II (AASKAII), 2026 (arXiv:2606.20366). Report-no:AASKAII/Spinelli02

R2 v1 2026-07-22T20:40:45.878Z