insert_link Opinion Pieces Lord Kelvin: how the 19th century scientist combined research and innovation to change the world Statue of Lord Kelvin in Glasgow. University of Glasgow, CC BY-SA By Martin Hendry, University of Glasgow “What got you into astrophysics?” It’s a question I’m often asked at outreach events, and I answer by pointing to my early passion for exploring the biggest questions about our universe. Well, along with seeing Star Wars at an impressionable age. This fascination with the fundamental is a well-trodden path for […] todaySeptember 19, 2024 4
Science & Technology We saw one of the most powerful magnets in the Universe come to life – and our theories can’t quite explain it Artist’s impression of a magnetar. Carl Knox, OzGrav/Swinburne University of Technology Marcus Lower, CSIRO; Gregory Desvignes, Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, and Patrick Weltevrede, University of Manchester After a decade of silence, one of the most powerful magnets in the universe suddenly burst back to life in late 2018. The reawakening of this “magnetar”, a city-sized star named XTE J1810-197 born from a supernova explosion, was an incredibly violent […] todayApril 9, 2024 20
insert_link Namibia Nedbank and AMT mobile planetarium school excursions commence The UNAM/Africa Millimetre Telescope (AMT) programme began late last month with school excursions in Windhoek to provide hands-on astronomical education and inspire young minds in the field of astrophysics and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). The UNAM/AMT Mobile Planetarium is an inflatable, interactive facility designed to bring the wonders of the cosmos directly to learners in Namibia. Senior AMT team member Emmy Iiyambo told Nampa on Thursday […] todayFebruary 15, 2024 50
insert_link Opinion Pieces 20 years ago South Africa had 40 qualified astronomers – all white. How it’s opened space science and developed skills since then Southern African Large Telescope. SAAO, Author provided Patricia Ann Whitelock, South African Astronomical Observatory; Daniel Cunnama, South African Astronomical Observatory, and Rosalind Skelton, National Research Foundation South African astronomy started an important journey two decades ago, when an initiative to attract and train future scientists in the field welcomed its first group of students under the National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme. World class facilities have been established during this […] todayJanuary 15, 2024 14
