Pan-African Planetary and Space Science Network (PAPSSN) – Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Programme

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Applications are invited from African nationals for scholarships in the fields of Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space and Planetary Science, Planetary Geology and Remote Sensing. The 2nd PAPSSN Call offers the following scholarships:

TARGET GROUP 1

[Applicants from or graduated at one of the partner Universities]

1x MSc Credit Seeking* (6 months) to Copperbelt University (CBU), Zambia
1x MSc Credit Seeking (6 months) to University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
1x MSc Degree Seeking** (24 months) to BIUST, Botswana
1x MSc Degree Seeking (24 months) to Copperbelt University (CBU), Zambia
1x MSc Degree Seeking (24 months) to Addis Ababa University (AAU), Ethiopia
1x MSc Degree Seeking (24 months) to University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Nigeria
1x MSc Degree Seeking (24 months) to University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
3x Short term staff mobility (one month to AAU, CBU and UNN) and 4x Long term staff mobility (three months to BIUST, AAU, CBU and UNN).

TARGET GROUP 2

[Applicants not from one of the partner Universities]

1x PhD Degree Seeking (36 months) to University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
1x MSc Degree Seeking (24 months) to BIUST, Botswana
1x MSc Degree Seeking (24 months) to Addis Ababa University (AAU), Ethiopia
1x MSc Degree Seeking (24 months) to Copperbelt University (CBU), Zambia
1x MSc Degree Seeking (24 months) to University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Nigeria

APPLY ONLINE

https://www.papssnmobility.org

For more information email: info@papssnmobility.org

CLOSING DATE: 31st March 2022

The PAPSSN scholarship includes a return air ticket and visa costs, participation costs such as tuition fees, registration and service fees, Insurance, settling-in allowance, monthly subsistence allowance and a contribution towards the research costs associated with student mobility of 10 months or longer.

The PAPSSN consortium is committed to offering 50% of its scholarships to women and candidates from disadvantaged or marginalized groups.

PAPSSN scholarships are jointly administered by five (5) African partner institutions, where selected students and staff will be able to engage in postgraduate studies, research, teaching or training.

AFRICAN PARTNERS

Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), Botswana
Addis Ababa University (AAU), Ethiopia
Copperbelt University (CBU), Zambia
University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Nigeria
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), South Africa

Technical Partner: Università di Bologna, Italy

This project has been funded by the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme of the European Union. This publication reflects the views only of the PAPSSN partnership, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Call for proposals launched to achieve the Vision 2024

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The organising committee of the IAU General Assembly 2024 has today, at a special session of the African Astronomical Society meeting, launched a call for proposals for actions towards realising Vision 2024. Proposals are invited for grants up to ZAR20,000. Deadline 15th April 2022.

Please submit a proposal even if you are not requesting any funding as this will help coordination in terms of who is doing what for Vision 2024.


You will find all the relevant details at www.astronomy2024.org/cfp

FIRST EVER AFRICAN WOMEN IN ASTRONOMY AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

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Cape Town – 2 March 2022

Two exceptional women in science are being recognised by the inaugural awards of the African Network of Women in Astronomy. The early career award goes to Dr. Marie Korsaga, Burkina Faso’s first woman astronomer and the senior award goes to Prof. Renée Kraan-Korteweg from South Africa.

The awards, worth €1,500 each, recognise and support the scientific achievements, and contributions to society, of women in Astronomy in Africa. They are given by the African Network of Women in Astronomy (AfNWA), a committee of the African Astronomical Society, and by the International Science Programme of Uppsala University in Sweden. The winners are also invited to give a plenary talk at the general assembly of the African Astronomical Society in March 2022.

Early Career Award: Dr Marie Korsaga, Burkina Faso & France

Dr. Marie Korsaga (supplied)

Don’t let “early career” fool you. Dr. Korsaga has many achievements under her belt. She is the first Burkinabe woman to obtain a PhD in astronomy. Dr. Korsaga is a postdoctoral researcher at the Observatoire Astronomique de Strasbourg in France, and a lecturer at the Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo in Burkina Faso. In her research, Dr. Korsaga works on dark matter and where it is found in galaxies. For that, she uses observations from optical, infrared and radio telescopes, giving her a broad skillset in astronomy. Dr. Korsaga is also a passionate advocate for women in STEM in the global and African astronomy communities. She has given a number of high-profile talks, including a TEDx talk. She has spoken at the African Union and was recently honoured by the city of Huesca, Spain in their newly unveiled sundial. She is also a founding member, and sits on the editorial board, of “L’Astronomie Afrique”, the first francophone online astronomy magazine in Africa.

Senior Astronomer Award: Prof. Renée Kraan-Korteweg, South Africa

Prof. Kraan-Korteweg is a senior research scholar at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. She has held a number of high-profile positions over her career, including leading the Astronomy department at the University of Cape Town from 2004 to 2014 and Astronomy department at the University of Guanajuato in Mexico. Her research interests include unveiling the large-scale structure of the universe and understanding how it came to be. She is also a user of astronomical observations from various telescopes and has recently discovered a new supercluster of galaxies hidden behind the Milky Way galaxy. Her work is internationally recognised, and she has received various awards. Prof. Kraan-Korteweg has supervised over 30 graduate students in her career, attracted significant research funding (both for her own work, and for the departments she has led) and has been a key advocate for the growth of astronomy on the African continent as well as the support of women in astronomy. The award acknowledges the vast impact she has had for women in Astronomy in Africa.

Prof. Renee Kraan-Korteweg (supplied)

Many nominations were submitted late 2021 for the awards, and a prestigious panel of judges was invited to evaluate the submissions. The panel comprised:

  • Prof. Stephan Buchert, Senior Scientist at the Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Uppsala, Sweden
  • Prof. Catherine Cesarsky, an Argentine and French astronomer, formerly president of the International Astronomical Union and the director general of the European Southern Observatory. She is currently Chair of the Council of the Square Kilometre Array Observatory.
  • Prof. Ewine van Dishoek, a Dutch astronomer and chemist, formerly President of the International Astronomical Union and a pioneer of the field of astrochemistry.
  • Prof. Debra Elmegreen, an American astronomer, and the first woman to graduate from Princeton University with a degree in astrophysics is President of the International Astronomical Union.
  • Mr Kevin Govender, Director of Office of Astronomy for Development and the joint recipient of the Edinburgh Medal together with the International Astronomical Union.
  • Prof. Ernst van Groningen, former Programme Director, International Science Programme, Uppsala University, Sweden.
  • Dr. Edward Jurua, astrophysicist, and leader of the research group in astrophysics and space science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Uganda.
  • Dr. Jamal Mimouni, an Algerian astrophysicist and the President of the African Astronomical Society.
  • Prof. Samaya Nissanke, an astronomer at the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and one of the recipients of the New Horizons in Physics Prize from the Breakthrough Prize Foundation.
  • Prof. Mirjana Povic, a Serbian-Spanish astrophysicist who works at the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute; inaugural laureate of the Nature – Estée Lauder Inspiring Science Award and founding board member of AfNWA.

AfNWA congratulates the winners of the 2022 African Women in Astronomy Awards and thanks the judges for their time and expertise. AfNWA also acknowledges the generous support of the International Science Programme (ISP), Uppsala University, Sweden.

Notes to the Editors:

African Network of Women in Astronomy (AfNWA)
AfNWA was set up in 2019 to connect and support women in astronomy across the African continent. It forms part of the African Astronomical Society, the professional society of astronomers in Africa. Astronomy is a growing field on the continent with new telescopes being built and producing innovative world-class science, such as the MeerKAT telescope in South Africa.
https://afnwa.org/
Contact: Prof. Vanessa McBride, vanessa@astro4dev.org

African Astronomical Society (AfAS)
The African Astronomical Society (AfAS) is the primary organisation representing professional astronomers from across the African continent and is funded by the Department of Science and Innovation in South Africa AfAS is based in Cape Town on the campus of the South African Astronomical Observatory.
https://www.africanastronomicalsociety.org/
Contact: Dr. Charles Takalana, charles.takalana@afasociety.org

International Science Programme
Uppsala University established the International Science Programme (ISP) in 1961. ISP has earned international recognition for effectively strengthening research and postgraduate education capacity in low income countries in the basic sciences chemistry, mathematics and physics.
https://www.isp.uu.se/
Contact: Prof. Carla Puglia, carla.puglia@physics.uu.se

Photos: Supplied

Solar Eclipse of 4 December 2021

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The moon will pass in front of the sun, covering it on 4 December 2021. It will be visible partially from the Southernmost parts of the continent. For more information and instructions on when and how to observe this partial solar eclipse safely, see the poster below.

Enjoy the event and if you would like to share photos of your observations, feel free to email us at IAUGA2024@afasociety.org. And remember, never look at the sun directly or through an instrument!

OUT NOW: African Science Stars, Special Astronomy and Space issue

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Science Stars is pleased to announce the availability of the second issue of its quarterly African Science Stars magazine. Physical copies of the magazine are currently being distributed whilst the full magazine can also be downloaded online in PDF format.

Acknowledging the rise of Astronomy in Africa this latest issue delves deep into African Science trends, the team visit Sutherland and Botswana, three key leading lady scientists are profiled, Africa’s Top 10 Astronomy Universities are profiled, Egypt’s Dr Somaya Saad gives us the history of Astronomy in Egypt, upcoming Astronomy events are listed and this issue further carries more stories that give the young prospective reader insights on funding, trends and science factsheets. There are also a number of interactive give-aways in this latest issue as well as Space Science career insights.

The digital copy of African Science Stars can be downloaded on issuu.com (search for “African Science Stars Issue 2”) or go directly to: https://issuu.com/africansciencestars/docs/african_science_stars_issue_2 or https://assap.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ASSIssue2.pdf online. 

African Science Stars is distributed throughout South Africa, SADC countries and selected northern African countries. Primarily to: Science Centres, Universities, High Schools, Astro tourism sites, Road shows, Astronomical societies, Government ministries, Political parties’ offices, AU (via Africa Desk), Embassies ( via BM Diplomatic Consulting), Government libraries, DSI, SAAO, SARAO, SAASTA, SANSA, NRF, AFAS, AFAS Members, SADC STI, GCIS, African Space Agency, African Planetarium Society, IAU-OAD and the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology institute. The magazine is also available at selected Airport’s business lounges, Hotels and BnBs and libraries. 

African Science Stars magazine’s objective is to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to high school learners in rural and township schools throughout Africa. The magazine is edited by award-winning editor and academic, Unathi Kondile, who holds an MA in Media Studies from the University of Cape Town. Kondile works closely with the Department of Science & Innovation, the African Astronomical Society (AfAS), the International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD) and various university staff members in science faculties.

 Websites: www.assap.co.za  |  www.africansciencestars.com  | https://issuu.com/africansciencestars/docs

For more information contact the editor: Unathi Kondile on +27 (0)82 619 8937 or email unathi@sciencestars.co.za

Interview about AfAS in Scientia Magazine

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Scientia Magazine features a rich issue about Astronomy in Africa and the African Astronomical Society. They interview the President, Prof. Jamal Mimouni and describe a lot of astronomy activities taking place on our continent. From Research to Outreach and efforts to strengthen women’s participation, all sources of inspiration for the present and the future of astronomy in Africa.

Click here to Download the PDF of Scientia Magazine

Large fireball illuminates Southern African skies

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On the evening of August 24, a bright object traveling fast in the upper atmosphere had thousands of people mesmerised. It was spotted by many in the Gauteng province of South Africa but was visible further North into Limpopo and Zimbabwe. At first we didn’t know what it was.

A usual shooting star is a rock the size of a grain of sand, so this looked a lot larger and it could be seen breaking up in the atmosphere. We’re lucky it happened after sunset, otherwise it would not be visible.

It could also have been something made by humans. Indeed, space is full of the debris of our interplanetary dreams. In 2001, the Russian Space Station Mir ended its faithful service to humanity in a stunning fireball above the Pacific Ocean.

Rockets reach space in stages. Until Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon 9 landed back on Earth, rockets used to be discarded in space after one launch, and only capsules used to come back to Earth. One such capsule can be seen at the Cape Town Science Centre in South Africa. This is one of the reasons space travel was so expensive. OK it still is – but less so, and space has even become the next frontier in terms of tourism for the very wealthy.

Falcon 9 rockets landing back on Earth in 2018 after the launch of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy. Credit: cnet

This single-use approach to space travel also created a lot of large debris. This debris eventually falls back onto Earth. When large human-made objects orbit the planet they are often monitored, as they could present a hazard for satellites, aircraft, or us on the ground.

Thanks to this, astronomer and space geek Jonathan McDowell as well as twitter user @Skitt0608 were able to identify last night’s object as Chinese rocket Yuanzheng-1S, meant to demonstrate satellite internet provision capabilities.

So there you have it: it was a piece of rocket, re-entering the atmosphere and burning up due to friction with air molecules. As more of our space junk falls back to Earth we may see more of these human-made shooting stars.

If you want to work in space, here’s what to do: take mathematics and science at school, enroll in a physics degree, or an engineering degree, and dream big! Who knows where this could take you?

First PhD Astrophysicist in Côte d’Ivoire

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The community is growing, and we are glad to welcome a new member to the professional astronomy community in Africa. Marc Yao, from the Ivory Coast is about to graduate with his OhD in Astrophysics from the University of the Western Cape. The University is celebrating along with Marc. Congratulations!

Rad the full article on the UWC website

30 June – Day of Africa’s Scientific Renaissance

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African science has a long history – just like the Calcium Copper Silicate also known as Egyptian Blue that was used as a blue pigment, discovered and chemically synthesised by ancient Egyptians from about 4600 years ago. That blue pigment was used, among other things, to give colour to the ancient goddess Nut, who represented the celestial dome.

Today, Egyptian Blue (CaCuSi4O10) is a well researched nanomaterial used for its infra-red reflective properties in advanced technologies. Today, African Science develops new technologies to study our celestial home and far beyond.

Join us in celebrating African Scientific Renaissance Day on June 30h. We want to use the Moon to bring all of us Africans together. In collaboration with the African Astronomical Society, we invite you to share your stories and songs about the Moon. 

How to take part:

We invite you to create a 2-3 minute video on your phones of your stories and songs, either as a selfie or of someone you know telling it. Send them to us through

WhatsApp: +27 (0)82 403 0908 
Email: outreach@afasociety.org 

Image: Burial chamber in tomb of Ramses V_VI in Valley of the Kings West Bank Luxor Egypt. Credit: Tim Adams

IAU GA organisers represent!

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The International Astronomical Union recently held its elections for members to lead the various scientific bodies organised as divisions and commissions. Drs Lucia Marchetti and Carolina Odman, both members of the Education, Outreach and Communications Sub-Committee were elected to Division J “Galaxies and Cosmology” and Commission C2 “Communicating Astronomy to the Public”.

We congratulate them on their election and wish them the best for the next triennium. Just in time for the GA!

© 2024 IAU General Assembly 2024 – Cape Town