- They add to the South African Astronomical Observatory and Hartebeesthoek Radio Observatory which existed already.
- The National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme has played a vital role in ensuring that these facilities were not simply operated for the benefit of international partners.
The history
South Africa’s astronomical history, spanning over 200 years, took a leap in 2000 with the cabinet’s approval for the construction of the Southern African Large Telescope. Beyond its scientific impact, the idea was to attract and nurture young talent, addressing shortages in scientific and engineering fields in South Africa.
- This was the result of the racially skewed education system during the apartheid era.
- Unfortunately the shortage of South African astronomers posed a threat to the success of the two projects, and to Africa’s participation.
Developing a pipeline
- At that time fewer than 1% of black school leavers qualified to study for a BSc in physics or astronomy.
- It became clear that universities needed to start co-operating if the landscape was to change.
- This collaboration, including the organisation that became the South African National Space Agency, focused on guiding students through honours and master’s degrees.
attract students post-Bachelor of Science
recruit from other countries in Africa
entice school leavers into BSc physics programmes
make participation in the programme a selling point for all participating universities.
- Funding from private foundations, particularly from the Ford Foundation, the Mellon Foundation and the Canon Collins Trust, added to very basic grants from the National Research Foundation.
- Nevertheless, students have developed successful careers through the programme, transforming astronomy and space science in South Africa and beyond.
- giving us exposure to the leading astronomers in the country … This was extremely helpful in assessing astronomy as a career.
Track record
- Another 27 honours and 21 master’s students are set to graduate shortly, and similar numbers of students will complete their degrees in 2024.
- A 2023 survey of programme graduates had 230 respondents, including 53 graduates from 19 other African countries.
Impact
- The impact of the programme’s graduates extends far beyond academia.
- South Africa now has over 200 qualified astronomers, not all of them from the National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme.
- The National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme can only ever be part of the solution to these complex systemic problems.
Future directions
- Students now have to navigate extensive volumes of intricate data of different kinds, from various sources.
- Students must know what these tools can and cannot do as they push the boundaries of our comprehension.
- This requires senior administrators to understand that inter-university collaborations are an investment in their own institutions as well as in the advancement of South African science.
- Patricia Ann Whitelock receives research funding from the National Research Foundation and the University of Cape Town.. Daniel Cunnama receives funding from the National Research Foundation.
- He works for the South African Astronomical Observatory, a business unit of the National Research Foundation.
