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NRF|SAAO Cape Town Open Night
March 14 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Each evening begins with an engaging presentation on astronomy or a related field of science, followed by a guided tour of the Observatory’s rich history—including our library, museum, and the historic 120-year-old McClean Telescope.
Weather permitting, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy stargazing through the McClean and additional smaller telescopes.
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- Gates open at 7:30 PM.
- Free entry for children aged 6 and under.
Please email cptbookings@saao.ac.za or call +27 21 447 0025 if you have any queries regarding bookings.
Speaker: Dr Itumeleng Monageng
Dr. Itumeleng Monageng is a Senior Lecturer at both the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO). He earned his PhD at UCT in 2018, where his research focused on multiwavelength studies of gamma-ray binary stars. His research interests include exploring the physical properties of various classes of astrophysical transients and utilizing data from telescopes such as the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) and MeerKAT. Outside of academia, Dr. Monageng enjoys running and watching sports like soccer, cricket, and tennis.
Title: Stellar evolution and energetic processes in the universe
Abstract:
Stars are essential for understanding the structures of the universe, from distant galaxies to the planets within our solar system and even the emergence of life on Earth. Heavy elements like carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen are created in the cores of stars through nuclear fusion. These elements are then released into space through stellar winds and powerful explosions. In this talk, I will discuss the evolutionary stages of stars, from their formation to their eventual demise. Additionally, I will explore close binary star systems, where significant interactions between the stars lead to mass transfer, affecting their evolutionary paths.