Reaching the Stars: All Join Hands . . .
South Africa has a long history of excellence in astronomy, a sound high-tech infrastructure and clear skies. But southern Africa's rich, diversified expertise in astrophysics and space science has never been available to students in one place --- until now. Researchers from around the region are joining forces to create a cooperative, combined programme where South African students --- and students from around Africa --- can earn Honours and Masters degrees while being mentored and taught by a `dream team' of South Africa's leading scientists.
A National Community in Space
The National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme (NASSP) draws on scientists from 13 institutions at present: the Universities of Cape Town, of the Orange Free State, of Natal (Durban and Pietermaritzburg), of Zululand and of the Northwest, Rhodes University, Potchefstroom University, the university of South Africa, the South African Astronomical Observatory, Hartebeesthoek Radio Observatory, Hermanus Magnetic Observatory and iThembaLab. Others are likely to join in as well.
Hosted in Cape Town
For the first five years, NASSP will be hosted by the University of Cape Town. Lecturers from other institutions will spend time at UCT, working with students in their specialties before returning to home base.
From Cape Town to the Cosmos
Students will travel to use southern Africa's space science research facilities. These will include the Southern African Large Telescope (the largest optical telescope in the southern hemisphere) and HESS (a new, powerful telescope array for studying gamma rays and cosmic rays) in Namibia, as well as the existing optical/infrared telescopes at Sutherland and the radio telescope at Hartebeesthoek. Southern Africa may also get the world's largest radio telescope, the Square Kilometer Array, though other contestants are still in the ring.
An Initiative for Africa
NASSP will provide the training required to give graduates the broad science skills needed in any modern technological society. This unique new opportunity in Southern Africa aims at providing highly skilled people who will be in demand in fields ranging from aerospace to financial services to telecommunications --- all areas where astronomers trained overseas have been successful. Other graduates will join the growing community of African researchers who will use the continent's new, `giant eyes' to explore the Universe --- our environment on the grandest possible scale.
For more information contact the NASSP coordinator:
Dr Peter Dunsby,
Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics,
University of Cape Town,
South Africa,
E-mail: peter.dunsby@uct.ac.za