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Who's who in South Africa's space zoo
What is Space Science and Technology? How does it benefit South Africa?
Space science is the study of everything above and beyond the surface of
the Earth, from Earth's atmosphere to the very edges of the universe.
Space Technology is used by space scientists to study the universe
(looking up) and the earth (looking down),
or to deliver services to users on the ground.
Information about everything in space can be obtained by means of a form
of energy called electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation
travels through space in the form of waves.
Electromagnetic waves of different frequencies are emitted by different
objects
in the universe, and so are useful for gathering information.
The diagram above shows the range of frequencies and wavelengths for
different kinds of electromagnetic waves. The higher the frequency of
the waves the shorter the wavelength and the higher the energy of the
electromagnetic radiation.
South Africa has a rich variety of space technology facilities to study
the universe or to study Earth from space, or to deliver services from
space to users on the ground.
Amateur Astronomy
is Addictive!!
The Astronomical Association of Southern Africa (ASSA) has amateur and
professional astronomers as members. Membership is open to everyone
interested in space science - you don't need to know anything about
astronomy to join - that is how you will learn! ASSA has centres in
Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Knysna, Johannesburg, Pretoria and
Pietermaritzburg. Each centre holds a meeting once a month.
You can write to ASSA at PO Box 9, Observatory, 7935.
South Africa's space pioneer
In April 2002, a young South African entrepreneur became the first
African in space when he joined a team of cosmonauts on the Russian
Soyuz capsule on a journey to the International Space Station. Mark
Shuttleworth conducted
several experiments during his 10-day space flight. One experiment was
the very first in the world to assess the impact of zero-gravity on the
development of stem cells and embryos; another was to determine the
effect of microgravity on the cardiovascular system and muscles; and a
third was an attempt to crystallise HIV proteins in weightlessness in
the hopes that, when X-rayed, they will give an accurate view of the
virus
structure. Mark has used his trip as a springboard for an
education-outreach programme, which aims to encourage learners to
embrace
mathematics and science. He has, since his return from the space flight,
made
substantial investments in science education in South Africa and has
fuelled the interest of
young people in space science and astronomy.
Places where our space scientists work and where you can find out more info
The Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (HMO)
The HMO is part of an international network of
magnetic observatories, which monitor and model changes in the Earth's
magnetic field. Researchers
at the HMO are also involved in studying the
magnetosphere, which is the outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere. The
HMO runs science
awareness programmes for learners and offers
presentations on space physics and guided tours
of the HMO's facilities. There is also an interactive science centre and
magnetometer museum.
Tel: (028) 312-1196 Fax: (028) 312-2039
Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO)
HartRAO operates a telescope 26 metres in diameter that can detect radio
waves
ranging in wavelength from 2,5 cm to 18 cm. The radio waves are emitted
by many different kinds of objects in the sky, from atoms and molecules
to
neutron stars to galaxies. HartRAO has the largest steerable radio
telescope in Africa, and it
co-operates with radio telescope facilities on
other continents.
HartRAO also has a Space Geodesy programme, which operates global
positioning equipment and a satellite laser ranger used to detect the
position of satellites. HartRAO organizes workshops for educators to
help them present astronomy-related topics in their own classes. Visits
to the observatory are also organized
for school groups and the public.
Tel: (012) 326-0742, Fax: (012) 326-0756
The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO)
SAAO is the national optical observatory of South Africa, dating back to
1820, when the Royal Observatory was established at the Cape.
The headquarters are in Observatory, Cape Town, and the telescopes are
at Sutherland in the Northern Cape. At present there are various
telescopes with mirrors ranging in diameter from 0,5 metres to 1,9
metres in diameter. The telescopes detect visible light and infrared
radiation. A much bigger telescope (SALT) is currently under
construction on the site at Sutherland. The SAAO Science Education
Initiative offers astronomy workshops for educators. Members of the
public can visit the SAAO in Cape Town on the second Saturday
of every month at 20:00.
Tel: (021) 447-0025,
Fax: (021) 447-3639.
Visits to the telescopes at Sutherland can be booked through the
Sutherland Tourism Bureau,
Tel: (023) 571-1265.
Southern African Large Telescope (SALT)
SALT is currently being built at the SAAO's site at Sutherland, and will
be the biggest single optical telescope
in the Southern Hemisphere when
it is completed in 2005. By putting together 91 small hexagon-shaped
mirrors, each 1 metre wide, SALT will have an effective diameter of 11
metres. It will be able to record light from distant stars, galaxies and
quasars a billion times too faint to be seen with the unaided eye - as
faint as a candle flame on the moon.
Square Kilometre Array (SKA)
South Africa is competing with other countries to host the SKA, a $1
billion international project to create an array of antennas for
detecting radio waves that will cover an area of one square kilometer
(about the size of 150 soccer fields). This area is 100 times larger
than the biggest receiving surface that now exists. If South Africa wins
this bid, the main part of the SKA will be built in the Northern Cape,
with other parts distributed in Southern Africa. It will bring world
class scientists to our country and the region.
High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS)
HESS provides an indirect way of detecting gamma rays from the universe.
A gamma ray entering Earth's atmosphere interacts with air molecules and
causes a shower of secondary particles which emit a faint blue Cerenkov
light in the process. HESS consists of an array of four telescopes which
can detect the intensity and direction of this light. More telescopes
will be added later. HESS is located near the Gamsberg on the Khomas
Hoghland, between Windhoek and Walvis Bay, Namibia. HESS is an
international collaboration in which South Africa is a partner through
Potchefstroom University.
South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE)
Antarctica, the southernmost continent on Earth, does not belong to any
country, but several countries have bases there. South Africa has had
an Antarctic base since 1962. Data gathered at SANAE are used to study
the upper layers of the atmosphere in detail, especially the ionosphere
and the magnetosphere.
Information is also gathered about the ozone hole.
The CSIR Satellite Applications Centre (SAC)
SAC at Hartebeesthoek provides products and services related to the
space industry and its applications. It can track and control spacecraft
for clients using its antennas or help them set up their own antennas
and tracking facilities.
It also offers services related to getting, storing and using images of
earth obtained from satellites. It has three main groups: Earth
Observation; Ground Segment Services; and Information and Communications
Technology Applications.
Tel: (012) 334-5000, Fax: (012) 334-5001
Sun Space and Information Systems (Pty) Ltd (SunSpace)
SunSpace designs and develops small and micro-satellite
systems, and related support equipment and ground-based applications.
SunSpace has its origins in the SUNSAT satellite programme of the
University of Stellenbosch. SUNSAT, South Africa's first satellite, was
developed completely by a local team of engineers, and launched in 1999
by the American space agency NASA. The team who designed and developed
SUNSAT forms the core of SunSpace today.
Tel: (021) 880-8100, Fax: (021) 880-1703
Institute for Satellite & Software Applications (ISSA)
ISSA is based at the Houwteq satellite integration
facility in Grabouw. It offers post-graduate
qualifications in Engineering and Information and Communication
Technology. Research conducted at ISSA includes satellite engineering,
and excellent facilities are available for designing and testing small
satellites.
Tel: (021) 859-7300, Fax: (021) 859-7324
Sentech
Sentech uses satellites to deliver television and radio programmes to
your nearest transmitter station from where it is broadcast to your home
TV or radio.
If you live in a remote area where there is no land-based television
service, you can receive your SABC
and e.tv services directly off Sentech's satellite service with a
suitable satellite antenna and Vivid decoder. Sentech also uses its VSAT
system to deliver Internet and other data services via satellite
directly to schools and other institutions in remote areas of the
country.
Tel: (011) 691-7000
Telkom
Through its many satellite services (in addition to the undersea cable)
Telkom touches the lives of every South African, from connecting us to
the world to bringing news and sport to our television screens.
Connecting businesses in remote areas, making automatic teller machines
work, taking business application into Africa, Europe and the Middle
East and fast Internet and
telephones to rural South Africa are all part of Telkom SpaceStream
product range.
Cape Town Planetarium
Inside the domed auditorium of the Planetarium in Cape Town, visitors
are transported through the wonders of the universe - the ultimate in
armchair travel! Their full monthly menu of shows and activities for all
ages, as well as their astronomy courses, are very
popular.
Tel: (021) 481-3900, Fax: (021) 481-3990
Johannesburg Planetarium
The Johannesburg Planetarium offers a variety of shows for small
children, school groups and the general
public, as well as astronomy courses. Special shows can be put together
on request, and astronomical
birthday parties can be arranged. It also supplies
star-charts, telescopes, and other astronomy-related materials. A free
e-mail service notifies subscribers
of interesting sights in the South African night skies.
Tel: (011) 717-1392, Fax: (011) 339-2926
Boyden Observatory
Boyden Observatory has the third largest optical telescope in Southern
Africa, a 1,5 m reflector and various other telescopes for educational
purposes, including an
excellent solar telescope. An observation platform is ideal for looking
at satellites, astro-photography and open-air slide/data projector
presentations. Boyden
hosts open evenings for school groups and adults.
A Science Centre is now being established at the site.
It is located just outside Bloemfontein.
Tel: (051) 401-2924
Southern African Amateur Radio Satellite Association (SA AMSAT)
Radio amateurs use two-way radio communication to make contact with
other radio amateurs all over the world. They are even able to use
satellites and on
occasion speak with astronauts. You too can become a radio amateur!
Space sciences at Science Centres
Space displays are very popular in science centres around the world and
several centres in South Africa offer space activities and exhibits.
You'll find a list of
science centres in South Africa at www.saastec.co.za.
The MTN ScienCentre in Cape Town features a replica of the Mars Rover; a
life-size replica of the Soyuz capsule in which Mark Shuttleworth
traveled into space, and some space debris which did not disintegrate
upon entering Earth's atmosphere. Tel: (021) 529 8100
The Museum of Science and Technology in Pretoria (part of the South
African Agency of Science and Technology Advancement) has several
interesting pieces of "space junk" that fell from orbit and landed in
South Africa.
You can also see models of rockets, experimental rocket planes, space
stations, satellites and deep space probes.
A real-time weather satellite receiver displays cloud cover images of
our part of the globe. The Museum also has a traveling STARLAB, an
inflatable planetarium which makes it possible to take planetarium
visits to rural areas. Tel: (012) 392-9300
You'll also find a STARLAB at the Unizul Science Centre
in Richards Bay, as well as several other space-related displays,
including a sundial. Tel: (035) 797-3204
Space Resource Centre
A non-profit organization focusing on research and analysis of the space
industry, policy and regulatory instruments in the area of space
sciences. It promotes awareness about space science and applications. Tel: (012) 430-2963/4, Fax: (012) 430-7186
If you want to study space science after school ...
- The National Astronomy and Space Science Programme (run by a consortium of institutions)
University of Cape Town, Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, Private Bag Rondebosch 7701, Tel: (021) 650-2344/650-2334, Fax: (021) 650-2334
- University of Cape Town
Department of Astronomy, University of Cape Town, Private Bag Rondebosch 7700,
Tel: (021) 650-3342, Fax: (021) 650-3342
- University of the Free State
Department of Physics, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300,
Tel: (051) 401-2926/6158
- University of Natal, Durban
School of Pure and Applied Physics, University of Natal, Durban 4041, Tel: (031) 260-2775, Fax: (031) 261-6550
- University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Tel: (033) 260-5326, Fax: (033) 260-5009
- Potchefstroom University
School of Physics, Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, Tel: (018) 299-2423, Fax: (018) 299-2421
- Rhodes University
Department of Physics and Electronics, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140,
Tel: (046) 603-8450, Fax: (046) 622-5049
- University of South Africa
Department of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Astronomy, PO Box 392, UNISA 0003, Tel: (012) 429-6202, Fax: (012) 429-6064
- University of Stellenbosch
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, Tel: (021) 808-4368, Fax: (021) 808-4981
- University of the Witwatersrand
School of Computational and Applied Mathematics, Private Bag-3, Wits-2050, Johannesburg, Tel: (011) 717-6138, Fax: (011) 717-6149
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