Sub-Saharan Africa Astronomy Summer School

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Galaxies, Extrasolar planets and Stellar physics: Gazing into the deep space, searching for new worlds, an insights into stellar interior physics.

6 – 17 September 2021 

The ongoing activities of the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) telescope have accelerated the development of astronomy research on the African continent especially in the field of galactic studies. These activities are no longer concentrated in South Africa only, but have also spread to the Sub-Saharan African region. Furthermore, space missions such as NASA’s Kepler and NASA’s TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) have further enhanced the development of other astronomy research fields, mainly exoplanet and stellar physics exploration. The future of these research areas is expected to become even brighter with the magnificent observations expected from ESA’s PLATO (PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars) mission planned to be launched in 2026. A number of African universities from the Sub-Saharan African region have embraced the open access data from these space missions and SKA telescopes, striving to make essential contributions to these research science fields, hence, aiding our understanding of the universe. 

Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) in conjunction with the Max-Planck-Institut für Astrophysik (MPA),  Thüringer Landessternwarte Tautenburg(TLS), and  Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA) are organising a Sub-Saharan Africa Advanced Astronomy Summer School in Uganda focusing on three fields of scientific research, namely galaxies, extra-solar planet science, and stellar interior physics. The goal of the summer school is to invite experts to share the state-of-the-art techniques/methods currently employed in these scientific research areas. In addition, research areas such as exoplanet and stellar physics studies have strong synergies and therefore present opportunities for generating research ideas which cut across the two fields, thus creating avenues for networking and building substantial collaborations among researchers and students in these fields. Students and postdoc researchers will be given an opportunity to present their own research work in the form of posters.

The summer school is open to 30 participants, i.e., mainly MSc./PhD students, and early career postdoc researchers in physics, astronomy or astrophysics from the Sub-Saharan African region. BSc. students in their final year with prospects of pursuing careers in physics, astronomy or astrophysics will be considered. The summer school will be held in Uganda from September 6th – 17th, 2021.

More information and School website

Inaugural Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society

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The meeting will focus on the science coming out of Astronomy in Africa and cultivating collaboration among countries in Africa as well as collaborations between Africa and the rest of the world, invoking the objectives and the science strategy developed at the science business meeting . The conference will also look at attracting and retaining youth in astronomy and strengthening the teaching of astronomy and related sciences. 

Objectives

  • Share astronomy research from across Africa and the Diaspora, promote scientific feedback and  research collaborative discussions.
  • Showcase recent Astronomy development and research output from African countries and the African Diaspora.
  • Provide a platform for discussions on current scientific discoveries, questions and opportunities.
  • Bring together participants in the African Astronomy community so that they can be better organised for astronomy development on and scientific output from the continent.
  • Begin forward discussions and working on the roll-out and implementation of the AfAS Science Strategy.
  • Help define specific concerns and how they contribute to the overall framework for the discussions on how to implement the AfAS Science Strategy.

Expected Outcomes

  • Scientific knowledge exchange, feedback, opportunity and celebration
  • Awareness of activities in Africa both by Africans and potential international collaborators
  • Inspire young African researchers to take ownership and drive the development of astronomy in Africa
  • Identification of strategic partnerships for the implementation of the AfAS Science Strategy
  • Development of new partnerships in the fields of astronomy and big data research in Africa and internationally.

Participants and Registration

The Conference aims to bring together at least 200 participants virtually from various institutions and networks conducting research in the field of astronomy primarily on the African continent. It will be a digital event hosted by AfAS from South Africa. The conference also aims to attract potential industry partners, representatives of Government, policymakers, Inter-governmental, and other international partners from across Africa and the Diaspora. Presenters from the postponed 2020 meeting will be given the opportunity to present their talks and will be contacted by the Local Organizing `Committee to confirm their acceptance., the LOC will also seek additional speakers. 

Dates

08 – 12 March 2021, with each day being no longer than 5-6 hours.

More information and conference website

The South African Astronomical Observatory celebrates 200 years

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Founded in 1820, the SAAO is the national centre for optical and infrared astronomy in South Africa. Its primary role is to conduct fundamental research in astronomy and astrophysics by providing a world-class facility to scientists. The SAAO also promotes astronomy and astrophysics in Southern Africa, by sharing research findings and discoveries, and participating in education and outreach activities to inform and enthuse citizens about physics and astronomy.

Unveiling of the National Heritage Site: 20 October 2020

The events will kick off with the virtual unveiling of the National Heritage site which will be held on the morning of the 20 October 2020, 200 years to the day since the establishment. Attendees are invited to join this exciting event online before the official symposium begins.

SAAO Virtual Symposium: 20-23 October 2020

• African ethnoastronomy and indigenous knowledge
• History of Astronomy in Africa
• Contributions to global astronomy
• Developments in African Research Astronomy in recent decades
• Astronomy and Society

More information and Symposium website

Credit: SAAO

Launch of the African Astronomical Society

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The African Astronomical Society (AfAS) was relaunched at the Astronomy in Africa business meeting, which was held in Cape Town at the South African Astronomical Observatory on 25-26 March 2019. The meeting was attended by around 80 participants from 20 nations including astronomers, public stakeholders, and research organizations. The meeting focused on business-related issues of strategy, policy, and governance and the planning of the future of astronomy in Africa. The AfAS Executive Committee elected at the meeting was mandated by the African astronomy community to help realize the mission and vision of the Society as well as achieve its strategic objectives as set out in the AfAS constitution.

The AfAS Science business meeting was held in Ethiopia on 10-11 October 2019, it brought together African Astronomical professionals and the international astronomy community to discuss scientific issues, consult on a science strategy for AfAS and how they could be engaged in AfAS activities.

It was agreed that the inaugural Annual AfAS Conference would be held in Cape Town in March 2020, this was subsequently postponed to 2021 as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic which prevented all travel and personal contact.

African astronomy in the news

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In 2018, MeerKAT was launched and has given us the clearest view yet of the centre of our Galaxy.

Nature astronomy’s recent focus on Africa highlighted the exciting changes happening on the continent. Click on the images below for the articles.

Dark nights bring a bright dawn. Credit: Editorial, Nature Astronomy.
Astronomy and socioeconomic development in Africa. Credit: Nature Astronomy.
African star joins the radio astronomy firmament. Credit: Nature Astronomy.
Blue light in the desert night. Credit: Nature Astronomy.
South Africa celebrates completion of gigantic, super-sensitive telescope. Credit: Nature Astronomy and SARAO.
The Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) project. Credit: Nature Astronomy.

SALT and SAAO telescopes partake in an unprecedented international collaboration to investigate the origin of the first detection of gravitational waves produced by two colliding neutron stars.

Image result for african vlbi network

The AVN is a network of VLBI-capable radio telescopes on the African continent, that will strengthen the science which the international VLBI community can do.

SALT, one of the largest optical telescopes in the Southern hemisphere, is producing exciting results. Optical astronomy is moving from strength to strength, indeed the South African Astronomical Observatory celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2020.

SALT located in the Karoo in Sutherland
The Victoria telescope. Credit: Anthony Koeslag.

Header image: SARAO.

Host City: Cape Town

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Cape Town is not only the most popular international tourist destination in South Africa, but Africa as a whole. This is due to its good climate, natural setting, and well-developed infrastructure.

Cape Town is the quintessential melting pot: it is a city alive with creativity, colour, sounds and tastes. While walking through the city’s streets and meeting its people, you will fall in love with its natural beauty, creative freedom and incredible spirit. Cape Town is a city where the unexpected is always just around the corner and the beautiful province of the Western Cape lies ready to be explored across the city border.

WHY CAPE TOWN

  • Number 1 Convention Destination in Africa
  • Modern infrastructure
  • Global recognition and appeal attract higher delegate numbers
  • Substantial development within technology sectors
  • 4 major universities

Cape Town has been voted the best city in the world to visit in the UK Telegraph travel awards for 5 years in a row.

CONVENTION CENTRE

Situated at the foot of one of the world’s most iconic mountains, in the heart of South Africa’s vibrant and welcoming Mother City, Cape Town International Convention Centre’s (CTICC) undeniable charm as a preferred exhibition and event destination is exceeded only by its flexibility and versatility.
Offering fully customisable venues, world-class facilities and trained, professional staff, CTICC is designed with great experiences in mind. From its modern architecture and spacious venues and advanced technology to its scrumptious -world class cuisine and legendary service ethos, every detail is meticulously attended to.
With easy access to some of Africa’s most popular and beautiful visitor attractions and five-star accommodation on its doorstep, CTICC is far more than an exhibition venue; it’s an exceptional destination.

For more information, please visit www.cticc.co.za

ACCOMMODATION

Cape Town offers over 20 000 formal hotel bedrooms, 4500 within walking distance to the Convention Centre with another 6000 within a 15 minute radius.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS

Cape Town has so much to offer as a tourist destination with South Africa’s top six tourist attractions within one hour’s drive from the city centre; the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope (Cape Point), the Cape Winelands, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Robben Island, a short boat trip away.

© 2024 IAU General Assembly 2024 – Cape Town