www.saao.ac.za: Latest News http://www.saao.ac.za/ Latest News - SAAO and SALT en www.saao.ac.za: Latest News http://www.saao.ac.za/EXT:tt_news/ext_icon.gif http://www.saao.ac.za/ Latest News - SAAO and SALT TYPO3 - get.content.right http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:30:00 +0200 SA partners with IAU to drive Astronomy for the Developing World! http://www.saao.ac.za/no_cache/public-info/news/news/article/185/ Today, South African Science chalked up yet another astronomical achievement with the signing of an... Today, South African Science chalked up yet another astronomical achievement with the signing of an agreement for the country to host the International Astronomical Union’s Office for Astronomy Development. 

This significant event marks the beginning of the realisation of an ambitious international strategy to bring astronomy to developing countries across the world. South Africa will now play an even more significant international role than it currently does in the field of astronomy. The global development strategy entitled "Astronomy for the Developing World" was produced by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) who then set out to find the best place in the world to put the coordinating office – and South Africa came out tops!

"I am particularly pleased that our Executive Committee chose South Africa and the South African Astronomical Observatory," said Prof George Miley, IAU Vice President for Development and Education. "South Africa is a role model for us because it combines world-class astronomical research facilities with a pioneering programme of astronomical outreach."

South Africa was chosen as the best location from 20 other proposals from around the world. Although this choice was initially announced in May 2010, the signing of the agreement today comes as a result of weeks of negotiation amongst the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), the National Research Foundation (NRF), the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the IAU. This agreement now secures the commitment by all parties to realise the vision of the Office for Astronomy Development (OAD), which will be based at the SAAO in Cape Town.

"The National Research Foundation is pleased to host this office, which is significant not only for South Africa and Africa but for the entire developing world. We are pleased to be associated with this effort to use Astronomy to foster education and capacity building globally over the next decade at least. Astronomy remains one of the sources of inspiration for young people who take up careers in science and technology and go on to contribute positively in society. We are looking forward to working with the astronomy community in developing interest in astronomy and science and technology in general" said Dr Albert van Jaarsveld, President and CEO of the National Research Foundation.

Dr Ian Corbett, General Secretary of the IAU noted that "This is a momentous occasion and the start of something really new, really challenging but also something which should have profound, far-reaching long term consequences for us all and not just for the developing countries. It is wonderful that South Africa has joined with the International Astronomical Union in this endeavour, and has demonstrated the determination and commitment necessary to make this a success."

The OAD will set out to build on the momentum of the IAU-UNESCO International Year of Astronomy 2009 whose activities reached millions of people in 148 countries. Although the focus will be on developing regions, the involvement and participation of all countries around the world will be essential, both to build the field of astronomy and, perhaps more importantly, to realise the significant role that astronomy can play in development.

The IAU Development Office is generously supported through the IAU and the South African Department of Science and Technology.

Present at the signing ceremony were amongst others:
- Dr Ian Corbett, General Secretary of the IAU;
- Prof George Miley, IAU Vice President for Development and Education;
- Dr Molapo Qhobela, Deputy Director General of DST;
- Dr Albert van Jaarsveld, President of the NRF;
- Prof Phil Charles, Director of the SAAO;
- Prof Patricia Whitelock, IAU representative for South Africa and based at SAAO.

Contacts:

Phil Charles
Director: SAAO
pac(at)saao.ac.za
0214470025

Patricia Whitelock
IAU representative for South Africa
paw(at)saao.ac.za
0214470025

Kevin Govender
Chair: Developing Astronomy Globally
kg(at)saao.ac.za
Mobile: 0824878466

Links:

About the IAU: The International Astronomical Union (IAU) was founded in 1919. Its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation. Its individual members – structured in Divisions, Commissions, Working groups and Program Groups - are professional astronomers from all over the world, at the Ph.D. level and beyond, and active in professional research and education in astronomy. In addition, the IAU collaborates with various organizations all over the world. The IAU has 10127 Individual Members in 90 countries worldwide. Of those countries, 70 are National Members. The scientific and educational activities of the IAU are organized by its 12 Scientific Divisions and, through them, its 40 specialized Commissions covering the full spectrum of astronomy, along with its 71 Working and Program Groups. The long-term policy of the IAU is defined by the General Assembly and implemented by the Executive Committee, while day-to-day operations are directed by the IAU Officers. The focal point of its activities is the IAU Secretariat, hosted by the Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris, France.

ABOUT THE NRF: The National Research Foundation (NRF) is an independent statutory body set up in accordance with the National Research Foundation Act. Its mandate is to support and promote research through funding, human resource development and the provision of the necessary research facilities in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all ?elds of science and technology, including indigenous knowledge,  and thereby contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of all South Africans.

ABOUT THE SOUTH AFRICAN ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY: SAAO is the national centre for optical and infrared astronomy in South Africa. It is a facility of the National Research Foundation under the Department of Science and Technology. Its prime function is to conduct fundamental research in astronomy and astrophysics by providing a world-class facility and by promoting astronomy and astrophysics in Southern Africa. SAAO headquarters are in the suburb of Observatory in Cape Town. The main telescopes used for research are located at the SAAO observing station near Sutherland in the Northern Cape.

]]> SAAO Press Releases Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:30:00 +0200 Minister Pandor congratulates the South African Astronomical Observatory http://www.saao.ac.za/no_cache/public-info/news/news/article/183/ Minister Pandor today congratulated the South African Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town on... Minister Pandor today congratulated the South African Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town on winning a bid to host the International Astronomical Union’s Office for Astronomy Development.

Read more

]]> Tue, 25 May 2010 15:00:00 +0200 South Africa wins the bid to host the prestigious international Office for Astronomy Development http://www.saao.ac.za/no_cache/public-info/news/news/article/181/ South Africa has been selected by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to host the... South Africa has been selected by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to host the prestigious IAU Office for Astronomy Development (OAD). The awarding of the bid to South Africa by the 88th meeting of the IAU, on Thursday, 13 May 2010 in Baltimore, USA, follows a process where 20 proposals were submitted by different countries and were evaluated by the IAU over several months.

“This represents a significant achievement not only for South Africa but for all of Africa since this office will be the central point for using Astronomy to foster education and capacity building globally over the next decade at least. As the National Research Foundation we are looking forward to working with the Astronomy community for the benefit of Astronomy development” said Dr Albert van Jaarsveld, President of the NRF. South Africa’s proposal, submitted by the National Research Foundation (NRF), through its research facility the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) and endorsed by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), proposed to host the office at the SAAO headquarters in Cape Town.

In congratulating South Africa, the IAU Vice-President George Miley, responsible for astronomy development and education, said “The SAAO is the prestigious home of several world-leading research telescopes, such as the Southern African Large Telescope, and has pioneered a unique programme of education and outreach at all levels. Located at the SAAO, the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development will be in a position to learn from the South African experience and make a fundamental contribution to furthering sustainable development globally”.

Prof Phil Charles, the director of the SAAO and driver of the proposal said “We are proud to have been selected as the host of this important venture. South Africa, through our Department of Science and Technology, has clearly demonstrated its commitment to scientific research development. Furthermore, we understand that South Africa’s success is strongly linked to the broader success of Africa so locating the OAD at SAAO represents a major opportunity for the entire continent”.

The selection of the host for the IAU Office for Astronomy Development represents a major milestone in the implementation of the IAU Strategic Plan entitled “Astronomy for the Developing World” – a plan which boldly aims at the global development of astronomy over a 10 year period. This strategic plan builds on the unparalleled success of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009), which marked a new era in the public understanding, and appreciation of astronomy.

During IYA2009, South Africa, through the SAAO, played a lead role on numerous international astronomy development activities, the primary one being the “Developing Astronomy Globally” cornerstone project. Kevin Govender, chair of this cornerstone project and driver of astronomy development initiatives in Africa, explains: “As one of the few developing countries with an internationally recognized and strong astronomy community, we felt that it was South Africa’s responsibility to look at ways of bringing astronomy to less developed parts of the world, with a focus on Africa. Through the invaluable support of the IAU we have been able to stimulate astronomy activities all across the world, from Gabon to Tajikistan. Hosting this prestigious office will enable South Africa to expand this developmental role and realize the common vision with the IAU of astronomy in every part of the world!”

END

ABOUT THE SOUTH AFRICAN ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY: SAAO is the national centre for optical and infrared astronomy in South Africa. It is a facility of the National Research Foundation under the Department of Science and Technology. Its prime function is to conduct fundamental research in astronomy and astrophysics by providing a world-class facility and by promoting astronomy and astrophysics in Southern Africa. SAAO headquarters are in the suburb of Observatory in Cape Town. The main telescopes used for research are located at the SAAO observing station near Sutherland in the Northern Cape.

Links:

Contacts:
Phil Charles
Director: SAAO
pac(at)saao.ac.za
0214470025

Patricia Whitelock
IAU national representative for South Africa
paw(at)saao.ac.za
0214470025

Kevin Govender
Chair: Developing Astronomy Globally
kg(at)saao.ac.za

SAAO Spokesperson: Enrico Olivier  0834835557

]]> SAAO Press Releases Tue, 25 May 2010 14:00:00 +0200 MeerKAT project achieves major milestones http://www.saao.ac.za/no_cache/public-info/news/news/article/179/ The Karoo Array Telescope (MeerKAT) project, a world-class radio telescope being built by the... The Karoo Array Telescope (MeerKAT) project, a world-class radio telescope being built by the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation in the Karoo semi-desert in South Africa near the towns of Carnarvon and Williston, achieved a major milestone in April 2010 when the first four telescopes in the MeerKAT Precursor Array (MPA - also known as KAT-7) were linked together as an integrated system to produce the MeerKAT's first interferometric image of an astronomical object.

Read more

]]> Mon, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 +0200 International science communicators in Cape Town http://www.saao.ac.za/no_cache/public-info/news/news/article/177/ More than a 150 international astronomers and science communicators, including representatives... More than a 150 international astronomers and science communicators, including representatives from 14 African countries, have descended on Cape Town for the period of 15 to 19 March to discuss the success of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) and the valuable lessons learned.

The Communicating Astronomy to the Public 2010 (CAP 2010) conference delegates, shared the numerous public activities hosted in their respective countries. These activities included stargazing, school visits, music shows, art exhibitions, games, dark sky awareness campaigns, etc. Mariana Espinosa from the Instituto de Astronomia in Mexico laid down the gauntlet, when talking about Mexico's World Guinness Record for the largest stargazing event. People all across Mexico had an opportunity to look at the night sky through about 1 100 telescopes on the 24th of October 2009. This Noche de las Estrellas (“Night of the Stars”) event was the most successful IYA2009 event in Mexico.

Astronomy is recognised the world over, because of its universal appeal, as an excellent way to bring the wonder and excitement of science to the public. Besides discussing the latest digital technologies now available for doing science outreach, a number of the delegates talked on new and innovative ways on how to communicate astronomy to various disadvantaged groups. Sivuyile Manxoyi from the South African Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town, talked about the Langa Project implemented during IYA2009 and how it can be used a science communication  model for the developing world. Megan Watzke and Kimberley Arcand from the Chandra X-ray Centre in the USA presented materials for the visually impaired, part of their IYA award winning “From Earth to the Universe” project (fromearthtotheuniverse.org).

In total about 100 international astronomical and space science institutions are represented at the CAP conference this year.

For more information contact:

Ms. Thembela Mantungwa
CAP 2010 Local Organising Committee
Cell: 071 105 0109
Email: tm(at)saao.ac.za

Also see the official CAP2010 website: www.communicatingastronomy.org/cap2010/index.html

]]> SAAO Press Releases Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0200 Pinelands High learner sends Ubuntu to the Heavens http://www.saao.ac.za/no_cache/public-info/news/news/article/175/ "The winning name is particularly good because it is cross-cultural and has been embraced by... "The winning name is particularly good because it is cross-cultural and has been embraced by all of South Africa" said Dr. Amanda Gulbis

The recent asteroid competition run by S.A. Astronomical Observatory and Southern African Large Telescope (SALT ) for the International Year of Astronomy 2009 has received lots of entries from enthusiastic young South Africans. Unfortunately, as competions go, not everyone is a winner, although, all the names were very interesting with beautiful motivations. Ubuntu was voted number one out of five shortlisted names. It received 207 votes from the members of the public. Nabeela Kajee, a learner at Pinelands High in Cape Town named the asteroid and her motivation was absolutely amazing. The name announcement came at a time when South Africa is commemorating the unbanning of political parties and the release of Dr. Rholihlahla Mandela from Robben Island. It is therefore fitting to say, as the Asteroid is up in space it will float around with one of the founding provisions of the new South Africa, Ubuntu meaning "I am because we are".

Nabeela Kajee will walk away with a state of the art telescope and we hope that she will explore the mysteries of the Universe. Dr. Amanda Gulbis, a SALT astronomer who discovered the asteroid in March 2005 while searching for cold icy bodies called Kuiper Belt Objects which reside in the outskirts of our solar system, is extremely happy with the outcome of the competition. In addition to her comment above, Dr. Amanda Gulbis, continued to say "Many young people have learned about how asteroids are discovered and named.  I hope that the excitement towards astronomy, and science in general, will continue long after this contest.  It is certainly exciting to think that everyone in the country can look at the night time sky and imagine asteroid "Ubuntu" moving through the heavens!"

Members of the public were given a two weeks to vote for their favourite name, the five shortlisted names were Ubuntu, Jabulani, Mzanzi, Ilitye, and Isiqobo. The announcement and acceptence of the name in South Africa is only the beginning, Ubuntu has now been submitted to the International Astronomy Union (IAU) for approval. We await their response with bated breath, while we hope for the best for Ubuntu.

For more information: Dr. Enrico Olivier on 021 447 9313
Further details about the survey in which the discovery was made can be found at www.lowell.edu/Research/DES/.
Competition website : www.nameourasteroid.org.za

]]> SAAO Press Releases Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:20:00 +0200 Select your favourite South African asteroid name http://www.saao.ac.za/no_cache/public-info/news/news/article/173/ The second round of the national Name Our Asteroid competition is already well under way. The top... The second round of the national Name Our Asteroid competition is already well under way. The top five names from over 100 submissions by young South Africans have already been selected, and the public at large is now invited to vote for their favourite name! Voting is online, open to everyone and all those who take part in this voting process will be entered into a lucky draw. The top five are Ubuntu, Jabulani, Mzanzi, Ilitye, and Isiqobo, and so far 240 votes have been polled. The youth who submitted the name with the most online votes will be declared the overall competition winner. Voting closes on the 31st of January.

The asteroid was discovered by Dr. Amanda Gulbis from the S.A. Astronomical Observatory and currently has the very uninspiring designation “Asteroid 202373“. Like many other asteroids it is a rock of roughly 1 to 5 km in size, and orbiting around the sun at a distance of about 500 million km. The meaning of the top five names, as well as motivations, can be found on the competition webpage, www.nameourasteroid.org.za, including the competition rules and further information.

The competition winner will be announced in February 2010 and will win a portable telescope, powerful enough to see the craters on the Moon, Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s moons and much more! The overall winner will also have the distinction of having their name attached to this remote piece of rock hurtling around the sun at nearly 60 000 km per hour. The online voting lucky draw prize is a SALT/SAAO gift hamper.

Astronomers at the observatory have also produced a teacher’s pack about asteroids for primary and high school educators and a classroom activity pack for high schools. These can be downloaded from the official competition website or requested from the SAAO.

Dr. Enrico A. Olivier
S.A. Astronomical Observatory
Tel: (021) 447 0025
Fax: (021) 447 3639
Email: olivier@saao.ac.za

]]> SAAO Press Releases Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0200 Partial Solar Eclipse visible from South Africa on 15th of January http://www.saao.ac.za/no_cache/public-info/news/news/article/171/ This coming Friday the 15th of January between about 7 AM to 8 AM those finding themselves in the... This coming Friday the 15th of January between about 7 AM to 8 AM those finding themselves in the central to northern parts of South Africa would be able to see the first solar eclipse of 2010. Solar eclipses occur when the moon is between the sun and the earth, obstructing some of the sunlight and casting a shadow on the earth's surface. Those finding themselves in the middle of this shadow will see a total or annular eclipse. As viewed from South Africa though it will only appear as an partial eclipse. Those in the southern parts of South Africa will NOT see the eclipse at all.

For eclipse magnitudes (i.e. maximum amount of the sun that will appear dark) and times for different locations in SA see: http://www.planetarium.co.za/EclipsePoster2010Jan.pdf

For places around the world see the following NASA eclipse map:  http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHfigures/OH2010-Fig01.pdf

]]> SAAO Press Releases olivier@saao.ac.za Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0200 Planet hunting telescope in South Africa wins prestigious award http://www.saao.ac.za/no_cache/public-info/news/news/article/169/ The Wide Angle Search for Planets experiment, SuperWASP, which has a telescope located outside the... The Wide Angle Search for Planets experiment, SuperWASP, which has a telescope located outside the Karoo town of Sutherland at the South African Astronomical Observatory has won the Group Achievement Award for Astronomy presented by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS).  The RAS,  the UK's voice  for professional astronomers, annually presents a number of prizes honouring individuals and groups who have made an outstanding contribution to astronomy and astrophysics. The prizes will be presented at the 2010 National Astronomy Meeting (NAM 2010) to be held in Glasgow between the 12th and the 16th of April.

SuperWASP has so far detected 18 planets in orbit  around stars other than the Sun (extrasolar planets or exoplanets). This planet search experiment uses two clusters of 8 cameras, one on La Palma and one in South Africa, watching for characteristic dips in the brightness of stars as planets pass in front of them. Despite their modest resources, the team have made a world-class contribution to exoplanet science.  Of the 18 planets detected, 10 were found from South Africa. The S.A. Astronomical Observatory in Sutherland has among the darkest night skies of the many observatories around the world, which critically aids in the detection of the minute changes in the brightness of the stars due to their orbiting planets.

SuperWASP is a consortium of 8 academic institutions: the University of Cambridge, the IAC, the Isaac Newton Group of telescopes, the University of Keele, the University of Leicester, the Open University, Queen's University Belfast and St Andrew's University.

More information about SuperWasp and contact details can be found at: http://www.superwasp.org/

The official Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) press release can be found at: http://www.ras.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1692&Itemid=2

]]> SAAO Press Releases olivier@saao.ac.za Fri, 08 Jan 2010 10:20:00 +0200 Once in a "blue" moon opportunity - end the International Year of Astronomy 2009 in style! http://www.saao.ac.za/no_cache/public-info/news/news/article/167/ The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Sutherland offers the public the unique... The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Sutherland offers the public the unique opportunity to see the final sunset of 2009 from the biggest observatory on the African continent. This coincides with the only “blue” moon* for 2009 and lunar eclipse to boot! This is a very fitting end to a marvelous year in which astronomy was taken to all corners of the world to educate, inspire and ignite people's imaginations.

The SAAO will open its gates on the new years eve, with half hourly to hourly tours from 9 AM to 5 PM. Tours include a visit to the Southern African Large Telescope, the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. An essential astronomy workshop with a question and answer session will run from 12 PM to 2 PM on the day, and all are welcome to attend. From 7 PM to 9 PM the observing plateau will be open to the public to witness the sunset over the magnificent Karoo. Besides the activities at the Observatory, a public star party will happen in the town of Sutherland with braai's, music and lots of opportunities to enjoy astronomical delights from a place world reknown for its great evening skies.

In the week leading up the new years eve, a number of festivities are planned in Sutherland, ranging from cultural performances, arts and crafts markets, live bands, a road show, sports and hiking activities and lots more. The SAAO will also be open during this week for public tours, and a daily astronomy workshop will also be running.

More information can be found at www.saao.ac.za/projects/YearEndFestival2009/YearEndFestival2009.html. Or contact:
Kevin Govender
Cell: 082 487 8466
Email: kg(at)saao.ac.za

* Here a "blue" moon refers to the second instance of a full moon in a given calendar month. It happens relatively frequently, occurring about once every 2 and a half year. Oddly enough, this definition of a Blue Moon originated with a mistake published in 1946, and has no deeper historical justification. A real Blue Moon is one that looks blue, and is very rare (it occurs when scattering particles in the atmosphere have radii in a particular range which reverse the usual reddening effect).

]]> Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0200