Abstract.The Centre for Atmospheric Sciences and Astronomy (CASA) at the University of Nigeria Nsukka is one of the four campus-based Centres for Space Science and Technology created recently by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), which was established by the Ministry of Science and Technology two years ago. In this paper, we discuss the activities of NASRDA and CASA and highlight their importance in the future of Astronomy in Nigeria.

Sommaire. Le Centre des Sciences de l'Atmosphère et de l'Astronomie (CASA) à l'Université Nsukka du Nigéria est l'un des quatre Centres Universitaires de Science Spatiale et de Technologie créés récemment par l'Agence de la Recherche Spatiale Nationale et du Développemen (NASRDA). Il a été installé, il y a deux ans, par le Ministère de la Science et de la Technologie. Dans cet article, nous discutons les activités du NASRDA et du CASA, et nous mettons l'accent sur leur importance pour l'avenir de l'Astronomie au Nigéria.

The history and the problems in the development of astronomy and basic space science in Nigeria have been presented in many local and international fora by P.N. Okeke and L.I. Onuora and have been documented in numerous reports. The present paper therefore presents only the most recent developments.

In 1998, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The primary objective of NASRDA was to establish a fundamental policy for the development of space science and technology and to establish and coordinate the activities of Space Research Centres in the country. Consequently, the Agency approved the establishment of four Space Research Centres, one of which is the National Centre for Atmospheric Sciences and Astronomy (CASA) at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, with Prof P.N. Okeke as its Director.

One of the major roles NASRDA can play in the development of astronomy in Nigeria is in the area of communication, which is an integral part of any science. This is particularly true in linking scientists in diverse fields of space science and technology, thus providing a forum where problems and needs that transcend individual Centres and fields can be addressed.

NASRDA now helps by sponsoring meetings and workshops for the motivation of space scientists and for public awareness of the relevance of space science and astronomy in national development. For example, in July last year, the Agency organized a three-day workshop for the media at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife. This national workshop, which was tagged "National Workshop for Media: an Integral Part of National Development", attracted media representatives from both government and private sectors.

Furthermore, NASRDA provides space scientists with a voice to articulate achievements, needs and problems to the government and thus acts as a link between space scientists and the government. In addition, the Agency serves in advisory and policy roles to various government agencies on space issues. One such role can be found in the 16 July 2000 issue of the Guardian newspaper, with a story captioned "Obansanjo cancels USD700m Space Project". According to the report, the satellite was for "monitoring and communication purposes." The cancellation of the project followed protests by some space experts in the country through NASRDA. Recently, the Federal Government appointed Dr A. Abiodun as the Special Adviser on space matters to the Presidency. Until his appointment, Dr Abiodun was working at the United Nations Office in Geneva as a Space Expert and was one of the organizers of the nine United Nation/European Space Agency (UN/ESA) workshops on basic space science in different countries in the world.

The purpose of the Centre for Atmospheric Sciences and Astronomy (CASA) is to provide systematic and effective collaborative research and development in basic space science and astronomy in Nigeria. This includes the exchange of knowledge and the utilization of manpower, equipment and facilities among Nigerian universities and research institutes. Currently, the Centre is planning to conduct a survey of all those working in the relevant areas of atmospheric physics and astronomy. This is to be done by mail, using questionnaires provided with a postage-paid return envelope. This will give an inventory of the work force on the ground. The operational framework for the Centre is described below.

The Centre shall engage in theoretical, experimental and observational research activities involving a number of research units, facility developments, and education and outreach programmes.

Research
The Centre is structured around the following five research units.

1. Atmospheric sciences: meteorology and climatology
2. Geomagnetism, ionospheric and magnetospheric physics
3. Solar and stellar physics
4. Radio astronomy
5. Cosmology

1. Undergraduate and graduate training in astronomy and basic space science
2. Introduction of astronomy and atmospheric sciences in other Nigerian universities
3. Introduction of astronomy and basic space science into curricula of general studies offered
   to non-science undergraduate students
4. Scientific research seminars

1. Newspaper column articles
2. Television and radio programmes
3. Networking for amateur astronomers and public night observing programmes
4. Regular public lectures
5. International and national scientific research conferences and symposia in collaboration with
   organizations like the IAU and UN
6. Planetarium (there is an arrangement with the Japanese Cultural Aid Programme for the
   establishment of a planetarium in CASA).

A. National Collaborating Bodies

1. Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt
2. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife
3. University of Technology, Akure
4. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

1. Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics (USA)
2. Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (South Africa)
3. South African Astronomical Observatory (South Africa)
4. University of Tokyo (Japan)
5. National Astronomical Observatory (Japan)

So far, academic research activities in astronomy in Nigeria have been largely supported through international collaborations. The collaborating centres have usually provided us with accommodation and subsistence while the international Astronomical Union has provided most of the travel grants. Jodrell Bank Observatory has been providing us with preprints and astrophysical journals. The Astrophysics Group of the University of Nigeria has never had any specific financial support, either from the University or from the government. The establishment of CASA thus marks the beginning of funding for academic research in astronomy by the Nigerian government. This new turn of events will undoubtedly help in solving the age-old problem of funding which has been crippling the development of astronomy in Nigeria.

The recommended short- and long-term goals of the National Centre for Atmospheric Sciences and Astronomy include:

Compilation of Databases

1. Global historical climate network
2. Microwave Sounding Units (on-board the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellites): tropospheric and stratospheric temperatures
3. Sea surface temperature (SST)
4. Total column ozone from the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS)
5. Quasi-biennial-oscillation wind above Nigeria, etc.

1. Carbon dioxide concentration in the air
2. Basic meteorological data: tem-perature, barometric pressure pre-cipitation, solar irradiation, net radiation
3. Monitoring of Earth's magnetic field using magnetometers
4. Monitoring of biologically harmful radiation: effects on plants, etc.
5. Neutron monitoring for high-energy cosmic rays

1. Lightning activities (relevant for extreme rainfall events and production of NO, NO2 , HNO3 - for link to tropospheric O3)
2. Equatorial electrojets
3. Geomagnetism
4. Studies of the solar corona
5. Sun-climate connection
6. Radio observational study of pulsars and other radio sources
7. Optical observational and theore-tical studies of cataclysmic variables and theoretical investigation of extragalactic radio sources
8. Theoretical cosmology

Although running the National Centre for Atmospheric Sciences and Astronomy is going to a big task, requiring not only research but also teaching, facility development and outreach programmes, it offers a very big opportunity for continuing funding and intellectual exchanges that will expose researchers not only to theoretical research problems but also to practical and observational problems. This will ensure greater productivity and contributions by Nigerian astronomers.