The Department of Science and Technology has welcomed the International Astronomical Union's (IAU's) decision to host the IAU office for astronomy development at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Cape Town.
According to science and technology minister, Naledi Pandor, this award represents a boost to all SA's current astronomy-related activities, including SA's bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).
SA is shortlisted to host the SKA, the most powerful radio telescope in the world. It is building an SKA technology pathfinder telescope, the Karoo Array Telescope known as MeerKAT.
Pandor says local universities will benefit from their proximity to the office, because of the opportunities for workshops and sharing of experiences. “The office is potentially a breeding ground for African leaders in the field of astronomy and development, with many opportunities for volunteer, contract and part-time work at specific projects.”
“One objective of the office is to take astronomy into parts of the world where there is none at all,” she says. Poor rural parts of SA provide an ideal close location to test and validate projects for wider implementation. These communities will be the first to benefit, Pandor adds.
Tough choice
The IAU selected a proposal submitted by SAAO from 20 other proposals that were carefully assessed over several months. The IAU says this was an extremely difficult process, given the high quality of so many of the proposals. Its successful outcome represents a milestone in a new era of astronomy development activities for the IAU, it notes.
“Located at the SAAO, the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development will be in a position to learn from the South African experience and make a fundamental contribution to furthering sustainable development globally," says IAU vice-president, George Miley, who is responsible for astronomy development and education.
"Finding a home for the office is the first step in the execution of the most ambitious global plan ever conceived in astronomy for development. On behalf of the IAU, I congratulate the SAAO and wish the new office every success in this exciting and important new venture," says IAU president Robert Williams.
Partnership vital
According to the director of the SAAO, Professor Phil Charles, astronomy is all about partnerships. “SAAO is looking forward to strengthening those we already have, as well as building new ones, as we use astronomy as a vehicle to introduce science and technology to a new generation.
“SA has been visionary in exploiting the country's natural strategic advantage in astronomy and using it as an integral part of its science and technology strategy. We aim to show that the skies are not the limit," he adds.
IAU says the office is the key component of this mission and will play a central role in the coordination and management of all the existing its educational activities, as well as in the recruitment and mobilisation of participating volunteers. “The office will also be a vital liaison between the IAU executive bodies and the IAU national members, as well as the main contact point between the IAU and the national authorities,” the organisation says.
The SAAO says it is a home of several world-leading research telescopes, such as SALT, and has established a programme of education and outreach at all levels. It adds it will appoint a director to lead the office on behalf of the IAU executive committee in joint efforts with the IAU.
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