The SKA Mid-frequency All-sky continuum survey: Discovering the unexpected and transforming radio-astronomy

Abstract

SKA is an instrument, not an experiment (Phil Diamond, Stellenbosch, 17 Feb 2014) We show that, in addition to specific science goals, there is a strong case for conducting an all-sky (i.e. the visible 3p steradians) SKA continuum survey which does not fit neatly into conventional science cases. History shows that the greatest scientific impact of most major telescopes (e.g., HST, VLA) lies beyond the original goals used to justify the telescope. The design of the telescope therefore needs to maximise the ultimate scientific productivity, in addition to achieving the specific science goals. In this chapter, we show that an all-sky continuum survey is likely to achieve transformational science in two specific respects.