Qatar - one of the wealthiest countries in the Middle East - has expressed an interest in throwing its weight behind South Africa's bid to become the host country for the square kilometre array (SKA) telescope - a giant telescope that will comprise about 3000 antennas.

The telescope - about 50 to 100 times more sensitive than any other radio telescope on earth - will be able to probe the edges of the universe, helping scientists to understand fundamental questions about astronomy, physics and cosmology.

South Africa and Australia are the only two bidders left in the running to host the telescope, which will be a powerful machine that scientists will use to go back in time to explore the origins of the first galaxies, stars and planets.

The announcement of the winning bidder will be made in 2012.

The minister of science and technology, Naledi Pandor, who attended a world innovation summit for education in Qatar's capital, Doha, this week confirmed to the Sunday Times the country's interest in the project.

She said Qatar was "very keen" to become an associate country.

The discussions have now reached a fairly firm proposal stage.

Pandor said South Africa had been looking for international partners, "because the greater expanse of satellite access and frequency you have, the better in terms of your bid".

South Africa also has eight other African countries on board.

She said that the country's ambassador to Qatar, Vincent Zulu, was arranging a meeting between herself and the Qatari authorities to continue discussions on the issue.

Another telescope, the Karoo Array Telescope (MeerKAT) is being constructed near the small town of Carnarvon in the Northern Cape.

She said two satellite dishes had already been constructed.