South African astronomy began an important journey two decades ago when an initiative to attract and train future scientists in the field accepted its first cohort of students under the National Astrophysics and Space Sciences Programme.
World-class facilities were established during this period; the most important of these are the South African Large Telescope (SALT) and the MeerKAT radio telescope, the forerunner of the international Square Kilometer Array. They add to the already existing South African Astronomical Observatory and Hartebeesthoek Radio Observatory.
The National Astrophysics and Space Science Program played a vital role in ensuring that these facilities were not operated solely for the benefit of international partners. It has also enabled individuals with significant data analysis skills to contribute to the country’s growing high-tech workforce.
As astronomers who have been part of this journey – organisers, contributors and beneficiaries – we are using the 20th anniversary date to reflect on the impact of the program and its importance to the country.
History
South Africa’s more than 200-year history of astronomy took a leap forward in 2000 when the cabinet approved the construction of the South African Large Telescope.
Beyond its scientific impact, the idea was to attract and nurture young talent by addressing gaps in science and engineering in South Africa.
At the time, there were only about 40 astronomers with doctoral degrees in the country. They were all white. This was the result of the racially skewed education system during the apartheid era.
In 2001, astronomers began preparations for SALT and future projects. The Square Kilometer Array (SKA) emerged as an opportunity to host a large international radio telescope that could, among other things, investigate the beginning of the Universe. Unfortunately, the inadequacy of South African astronomers posed a threat to the success of the two projects and African participation.
Read more: How visionary scientist Bernie Fanaroff put African astronomy on the map.
Developing a pipeline
Becoming a professional astronomer requires a doctorate in astronomy, physics or a related subject. It takes approximately 10 years to gain a qualification after completing secondary school. Less than 1% of black school leavers at the time were eligible to study for a bachelor’s degree in physics or astronomy.
It became clear that universities should start collaborating if the environment changes. The country’s small astronomy community was spread across eight universities and two national facilities.
It was decided to pool resources to establish the National Astrophysics and Space Sciences Program. In this way, university lecturers and professionals at national observatories can all contribute to teaching, while students can choose from a wide range of research projects.
This collaboration, which included the organization that became the South African National Space Agency, focused on guiding students towards honors and master’s degrees. He emphasized collaboration over institutional interests and specifically targeted young scientists from previously disadvantaged communities.
The main objectives were clear:
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Attracting the attention of post-Bachelor of Science students
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Recruitment from other countries in Africa
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Convincing school leavers to undergraduate physics programs
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Make participation in the program a selling point for all participating universities.
Scholarships that covered basic needs were crucial to attracting smart students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Funds from private foundations, particularly the Ford Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, and the Canon Collins Foundation, were added to the very core grants of the National Research Foundation.
Today the government’s Department of Science and Innovation is the main funder.
Grants are adequate rather than generous. However, students have developed successful careers through the program, transforming astronomy and space science in South Africa and beyond.
Program participant Pfesesani van Zyl said:
The SALT trip was a truly transformative experience for me… As a child growing up in a small town, the idea of a career in astronomy seemed like an unattainable dream, especially as a black woman… But this visit shattered the limitations. beliefs.
As former beneficiary Roger Deane, now a professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, points out, the program
follow the record
By mid-2023, the National Astrophysics and Space Sciences Program had awarded 439 honors graduates and 215 master’s degrees in astrophysics and space sciences. 27 honors and 21 master’s students are also scheduled to graduate soon, and a similar number of students will complete their degrees in 2024.
A 2023 survey among program graduates included 230 participants; among them were 53 graduates from 19 other African countries. The largest numbers came from Uganda, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia and Sudan. Many returned home.
Former participant Miriam Nyamai said:
Collaborating with international researchers through the program has enabled me to conduct world-class research, attend international conferences and give talks about my work.
Coup
The impact of program graduates extends far beyond the academic world. Many have gone on to successful careers in a variety of sectors, including industry, education and government.
Graduates have participated in exciting astronomical discoveries. These include producing the first images of black holes with the Event Horizon Telescope, finding some of the most distant galaxies ever known, and using SALT to search for the remnants of some very massive binary stars and unusually active black holes at great distances.
The work of many individuals has been recognized by national and international organisations, and graduates of the program hold significant teaching and research positions in South African universities. More than 30 people are employed at national astronomy facilities and the national space agency, while some hold prestigious positions elsewhere in the world. There are currently more than 200 qualified astronomers in South Africa, and not all of them are from the National Astrophysics and Space Sciences Programme.
Yet filling astronomer vacancies in South Africa remains a challenge. Many factors contribute to this, including funding, opportunities outside academia, and a lack of clear career paths. The National Astrophysics and Space Sciences Program can only be part of the solution to these complex systemic problems.
future directions
The program has evolved since its inception. Students now have to navigate large volumes of complex data of different types from a variety of sources. Machine learning and artificial intelligence are indispensable. Students must know what these tools can and cannot do as they push the boundaries of our understanding. This is a challenging process for both students and their mentors.
The key challenge now, just as it was 20 years ago, is to help university staff collaborate across institutions to ensure their work is recognized and rewarded. This requires senior administrators to understand that inter-university collaborations are an investment both in their own institutions and in the advancement of South African science.
A two-day symposium was held at the University of Cape Town in South Africa in January 2024 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the National Astrophysics and Space Sciences Programme.
This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent, nonprofit news organization providing facts and authoritative analysis to help you understand our complex world. Written by: Patricia Ann Whitelock, South African Astronomical Observatory; Daniel Cunnama, South African Astronomical Observatoryand Rosalind Skelton, National Research Foundation
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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 at the South African Astronomical Observatory, a business unit of the National Research Foundation.
Rosalind Skelton receives funding from the National Research Foundation. She works at the South African Astronomical Observatory, a business unit of the National Research Foundation.