Loading…
Third Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society... has ended
The third annual conference of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS-2023) will take place as a hybrid event from 13 to 17 March 2023 at the University of the Witwatersrand Origins Centre, Johannesburg, hosted by the Wits Centre for Astrophysics. The AfAS-2023 conference will focus on the science, outreach, communication, and education activities emanating from Astronomy in Africa and seek to enhance further collaborations among countries in Africa and the rest of the world. The annual AfAS conference attracts policymakers, funders, researchers, outreach officers, and educators. It provides them with a platform to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, concerns, and challenges encountered and to adopt solutions.

OBJECTIVES

  • Share astronomy research from across Africa and promote dialogues, critical conversations, and debates around research topics.
  • Foster collaborations between the African Astronomy Community and the rest of the world
  • Showcase recent developments in Astronomy in African countries.
  • Provide a platform for policymakers, funders, researchers, outreach officers, and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, concerns, challenges encountered, and solutions adopted.
  • Provide a platform for deliberations on strategies and policies, including the establishment and roll-out of astronomy schools, flagship projects, etc.
  • Discuss continental, regional, and national plans leading to the IAU General Assembly in 2024, Vision 2024, and the envisaged legacy thereafter.
  • Discussions on membership and conference fees and benefits and acceptance, in principle, for introducing membership fees from April 2024.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES
  • New partnerships and collaborations in the fields of astronomy and related big data research in Africa and internationally
  • Increased Awareness of activities in Africa, both by Africans and international collaborators
  • Increase in collaborations and better dialogue amongst countries
  • Young African researchers inspired to take ownership and drive the development of astronomy in Africa.
  • Strategic partnerships for the implementation of AfAS flagship and other projects for the development of Astronomy in Africa and aligned to the goals of the GA2024 and beyond
  • Approval of conference and membership fees and benefits

Featured Speakers

avatar for Imraan Patel

Imraan Patel

Department of Science and Innovation. South Africa
Deputy Director General
avatar for Roger Deane

Roger Deane

Wits University
Director: Wits Centre for Astrophysics
avatar for Jane Rigby

Jane Rigby

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Astrophysicist
avatar for Kelly Blumenthal

Kelly Blumenthal

International Astronomical Union Office for Astronomy Outreach
Deputy Director
avatar for Mirjana Povic

Mirjana Povic

Space Science and Geospatial Institute (SSGI), Ethiopia
Assistant Professor
avatar for Lindsay Magnus

Lindsay Magnus

SKAO
SKA Mid Telescope Director
avatar for David Buckley

David Buckley

SALT/SAAO/UCT/UFS
Astronomer
avatar for Tshiamiso Makwela

Tshiamiso Makwela

IAU-OAE and UCT
Postdoc
avatar for Niruj Ramanujam

Niruj Ramanujam

Indian Institute of Astrophysics
Head, Science Communication, Public Outreach and Education Section
avatar for Ewine van Dishoeck

Ewine van Dishoeck

Leiden Observatory, Leiden University
Professor
avatar for Petri Vaisanen

Petri Vaisanen

South African Astronomical Observatory
Director
avatar for Linda Strubbe

Linda Strubbe

Pan-African School for Emerging Astronomers, Strubbe Educational Consulting
Co-Director, Freelance educational consultant
avatar for Dominic Vertue

Dominic Vertue

OAD
Fellow
avatar for Michael Backes

Michael Backes

University of Namibia
Associate Professor & Co-PI Africa Millimetre Telescope
avatar for Yin-Zhe Ma

Yin-Zhe Ma

University of KwaZulu-Natal
Full Professor
avatar for Zara Randriamanakoto

Zara Randriamanakoto

SAAO
Astronomer
avatar for Naomi Asabre Frimpong

Naomi Asabre Frimpong

GSSTI/AfAS
Research Scientist/Vice-President
avatar for Al-Shaimaa Hassanin

Al-Shaimaa Hassanin

Cairo University
Assistant Professor
avatar for Ann Njeri

Ann Njeri

Newcastle University
PDRA

Speakers

avatar for Amare Abebe

Amare Abebe

North-West University
Professor
avatar for Sarah Abotsi-Masters

Sarah Abotsi-Masters

AfAS / OAE
Coordinator, AfAS Membership Committee / NAEC Ghana
YA

Yeshurun Alemayehu Adde

Space Science and Geospatial Institute (SSGI)
Deputy Director-General
avatar for Mehbuba Ahmed

Mehbuba Ahmed

Space Science and Geospatial Institution (SSGI)
MSc student
DW

Dereje Wakgari Amente

Osmania University
PhD Scholar
JA

Julio Andrianjafy

University of Mauritius (Mauritius)
MPhil/PhD candidate
avatar for Yosry Azzam

Yosry Azzam

NRIAG
Professor, Engineer
avatar for Abdoulaye Ba

Abdoulaye Ba

Cheikh Anta Diop University
Phd in astronomy
SB

Sayan Basu

University of the Witwatersrand
Post-doctoral researcher
GB

Geoff Beck

University of the Witwatersrand
Senior lecturer
avatar for Abdelmajid BENHIDA

Abdelmajid BENHIDA

Cadi Ayyad University
Professor
avatar for Zouhair Benkhaldoun

Zouhair Benkhaldoun

Cadi Ayyad University
Oukaimeden Observatory Director
TB

Tolu Biressa

Jimma University, Department of physics, Astronomy, and Space Science Stream
Academic ass. professor of physics, Astronomy and Space science...
avatar for Cheikh BOP

Cheikh BOP

Institut de Physique de Rennes
Postdoctoral Researcher
avatar for Leonard Burtscher

Leonard Burtscher

Astronomers for Planet Earth
International coordinator
avatar for Jamal Chafi

Jamal Chafi

High Energy Physics and Astrophysics Laboratory, Cadi Ayyad University
PhD. student
avatar for Ntsikelelo Charles

Ntsikelelo Charles

Rhodes University
PhD student
AC

Andrew Chen

University of the Witwatersrand
Professor
avatar for James Chibueze

James Chibueze

North-West University
Professor
MC

Makaiko Chithambo

South African Institute of Physics (SAIP
President
JC

Jamila Chouqar

Cadi Ayyad University, Faculty of Science Semlalia
DC

Daniel Czech

UC Berkeley
Postdoctoral Scholar
AD

Ahmed DAASSOU

Cadi Ayyad University. LPFAS-FPS
Professor
RD

Roger Davies

European Astronomical Society (EAS)
President of the European Astronomical Society (EAS)
TD

Tirna Deb

University of Western Cape
Postdoctoral fellow
DD

Derebe Deesale

Addis Ababa university
Student
avatar for Malebese Audrey Dikgale-Mahlakoana

Malebese Audrey Dikgale-Mahlakoana

Dept of Science and Innovation
Deputy Director: Multiwavelength Astronomy
HD

Huzuni Diru

Geo longitude Limited
Engineer
avatar for Chukwudiegwu Egbuim

Chukwudiegwu Egbuim

Centre for Basic Space Science, National Space Research and Development Agency
Scientific Officer
avatar for Debra Elmegreen

Debra Elmegreen

Vassar/IAU
IAU President
avatar for Youssef Errazzouki

Youssef Errazzouki

University of Caddi Ayyad
Phd student
avatar for Husseinat Etti-Balogun

Husseinat Etti-Balogun

Federal University of Technology Akure
student
avatar for Innocent Eya

Innocent Eya

University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Lecturer I
avatar for Christian Eze

Christian Eze

Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences
Ph.D student
avatar for Albert Kuntu Forson

Albert Kuntu Forson

University of Mauritius
MPhil/PhD Research Student
avatar for Sihle Gcilitshana

Sihle Gcilitshana

Rhodes University
Masters Student
TG

TILAHUN GETACHEW

Bule Hora University and ESSTI
PhD candidate
avatar for Kevin Govender

Kevin Govender

Chair IAU-GA2024 NOC
Director
avatar for Leïla Haegel

Leïla Haegel

IP2I Lyon
Researcher (staff)
avatar for Priya Shah Hasan

Priya Shah Hasan

Maulana Azad Natioanl Urdu University, Hyderabad, India
Asst Professor
avatar for Chali Idosa

Chali Idosa

Jimma University
Researcher and Lecturer
avatar for Yara Jaffé

Yara Jaffé

Uiversidad de Valparaíso
Prof.
avatar for Noorali Jiwaji

Noorali Jiwaji

Open University of Tanzania
Astronomy Consultant and Researcher
KJ

Kelsey Johnson

President of the American Astronomical Society (AAS)
American Astronomical Society (AAS)
EJ

Edward Jurua

Mbarara University of Science and Technology
Lecturer and Head of Department, Physics
avatar for Eli Kasai

Eli Kasai

University of Namibia, Department of Physics, Chemistry & Material Science
Senior Lecturer & Head of Department
avatar for GRACE KATUSIIME

GRACE KATUSIIME

Mbarara University of Science and Technology
MSc graduate
MK

Marcelina Kinyumu

Kenyatta University
M.Sc Student
avatar for declan kirrane

declan kirrane

Science Summit UNGA78
Chairman
avatar for Sthabile Kolwa

Sthabile Kolwa

The University of Johannesburg
Lecturer and Astronomer
RK

Rahul Kothari

Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi
Assistant Professor
avatar for Duduzile Kubheka

Duduzile Kubheka

BRICS Astronomy/South African Astronomical Observatory
EL

Endeshaw Lake

Ethiopian Space Science and Geospatial Institute
PhD student
LL

Lerothodi Leeuw

UWC
Professor
avatar for Lebogang Lekganyane

Lebogang Lekganyane

Rhodes University
M.Sc Student
RF

Rodrigue FOTIE LELE

Green Heart International
President
avatar for Nikhita Madhanpall

Nikhita Madhanpall

South African Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town
OAD-DARA Big Data Fellow
AM

Antoine Mahoro

South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO)
PhD student
FZ

Fatemeh Zahra Majidi

University of Padova, INAF-Padova
Postdoc fellow
YM

Yunus Manjoo

AfAS
Project Manager
PM

Pontsho Maruping

South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO)
Managing Director
avatar for Mercy  Matsete

Mercy Matsete

Botswana International University of Science and Technology
Student
DM

Daudi Mazengo

The University of Dodoma
Assistant Lecturer
avatar for Vanessa McBride

Vanessa McBride

Deputy Director – IAU-OAD
Astronomer
TM

Thebe Medupe

North-West University
Professor
avatar for Remudin Reshid  Mekuria

Remudin Reshid Mekuria

Ala-Too International University
Associate Professor
avatar for Christian van der Merwe

Christian van der Merwe

SAAO/UCT
PhD Candidate
avatar for Jamal Mimouni

Jamal Mimouni

University of Constantine1 and CERIST
Faculty member
SM

Shazrene Mohamed

University of Miami
ASSOC. PROFESSOR
avatar for Malebo Moloko

Malebo Moloko

University of Cape Town
PhD student
avatar for Nomthendeleko  Motha

Nomthendeleko Motha

University of the Western Cape
PhD Student
avatar for Ahmed Moursi

Ahmed Moursi

National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics(NRIAG)
Resaercher
avatar for Priscilla Muheki

Priscilla Muheki

Mbarara University of Science and Technology
Lecturer
DM

DORCUS MULUMBA

Technical University of Kenya (TUK)
PhD. Student
SM

Susan Murabana

The Travelling Telescope
CEO
MM

MUSA MUSA

Kilimanjaro Planetarium part of Geo - Longitude LTD
CEO & Co-Founder
avatar for Isaac Mutie

Isaac Mutie

Technical University of Kenya
PhD Student/Tutorial Fellow
avatar for Mika Naidoo

Mika Naidoo

University of the Witwatersrand
PhD Student
avatar for Elizabeth Naluminsa

Elizabeth Naluminsa

Makerere University
Lecturer
avatar for Brenda Namumba

Brenda Namumba

WITS UNIVERSITY
Postdoc
LN

Lobone Nchoe

NWU
MSc. Student
avatar for HARRY AYUK-NGOJO TABI NDIP

HARRY AYUK-NGOJO TABI NDIP

University of Buea Astronomy club, Youths For a Sustainable Space Development (Y4SSD) Cameroon, Aerospace Baby Project
C0-Founder of the Aerospace Baby Project, Project Lead at Y4SSD,...
avatar for Thuto Ndlovu

Thuto Ndlovu

DSI/ SARAO/ UKZN
Junior Astronomy Policy Researcher
avatar for Takalani Nemaungani

Takalani Nemaungani

Department of Science and Innovation, South Africa
Chief Director
ON

Onyebuchi Nnah

NASRDA - Center for Basic Space Science, Nsukka
Senior Scientific Officer (Astronomy Section)
avatar for Benard Nsamba

Benard Nsamba

Kyambogo University (KyU) and Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (MPA)
Lecturer and Researcher
MN

Miriam Nyamai

South African Radio Observatory
Astronomer and Operation Scientist
avatar for Samuel Nyangi

Samuel Nyangi

Leo Sky Africa
Space Eco Systems Developer
avatar for Beatrice Nyiransengiyumva

Beatrice Nyiransengiyumva

Mbarara University of Science and Technology
PhD student
avatar for Akintola Mercy Onaopemipo

Akintola Mercy Onaopemipo

Milsat Technologies Limited
Community Manager
avatar for Paul Onyango

Paul Onyango

Astro4Inc
Founder
SD

Shiloh Dedeh Osae

GSSTI-GRAO
Director
avatar for Dorcas Oseni

Dorcas Oseni

National Institute for Space Research (INPE), Brazil
Graduate student
avatar for Ayodele  Periola

Ayodele Periola

Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Lecturer
DP

Denisha Pillay

Max planck institute for radio astronomy
Phd student
avatar for Jack Radcliffe

Jack Radcliffe

University of Pretoria & University of Manchester
Lecturer & Honorary research fellow
avatar for Deralaza Rafieferantsoa

Deralaza Rafieferantsoa

Malagasy Astronomy and Space Science (MASS)
Student Member / Membership officer
MR

Miora Rakototafika

University of Antananarivo
Student
avatar for Maminiaina Rakotovao

Maminiaina Rakotovao

University of Antananarivo
MSc Student
avatar for Madambi Rambuda

Madambi Rambuda

African Science Stars
Chairperson
avatar for Karla Peña Ramírez

Karla Peña Ramírez

Universidad de Antofagasta
Associate Professor
avatar for Notahiana Ranaivoharimina

Notahiana Ranaivoharimina

University of Antananarivo
MSc graduate
avatar for Jifar Raya

Jifar Raya

Jimma University, Ethiopia
Researcher and Academic lecturer
avatar for Francia Mamitahiry Razafimanjato

Francia Mamitahiry Razafimanjato

University of Antananarivo
Student
avatar for Petro Janse van Rensburg

Petro Janse van Rensburg

SAAO/UCT
PhD student
avatar for Somaya Saad

Somaya Saad

National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics -NRIAG
MS

Mohammed SABIL

Oukaimeden Observatory-Marrakech-Sultan Moulay Slimane University-ENSA-BM-Benei Mellal-Morocco
Professor
LS

Lisa Seconna

University of Cape Town
MSc Student
avatar for Precious Katlego Sejake

Precious Katlego Sejake

University of Pretoria
PhD Student
avatar for Onkabetse Sengate

Onkabetse Sengate

University of Kwazulu-Natal
PhD student
avatar for Thomas Shiva

Thomas Shiva

Digital realm Entertainment Inc & Neo-Troniks systems Inc
Founder, CEO
ME

Mpendulo Emmarencia Sibiya

University of Western Cape
M.Sc
SP

Sinenhlanhla Precious Sikhosana

University of KwaZulu-Natal
Postdoc
avatar for Prospery Simpemba

Prospery Simpemba

Copperbelt University/SAROAD
Regional Coordinator - SAROAD
EC

Exodus CL Sit

International Astronomical Union
Chair of National Astronomy Education Coordinator and Co-National...
avatar for Amidou Sorgho

Amidou Sorgho

CSIC-IAA
Postdoc
avatar for Unnikrishnan Potty Sureshkumar

Unnikrishnan Potty Sureshkumar

University of the Witwatersrand
Postdoctoral fellow
avatar for Charles Takalana

Charles Takalana

African Astronomical Society (AfAS) & IAU-GA2024 NOC
Head of Secretariat (AfAS) & Co-Chair: IAU-GA2024 National Organising...
avatar for Joseph Bremang Tandoh

Joseph Bremang Tandoh

Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute
Deputy Director
BT

Bénite TANTELY

University of Antananarivo, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Physics and Application, Astrophysics and Astronomy
Student
avatar for Shafeeq Kaheal Abd El Aziz Tealib

Shafeeq Kaheal Abd El Aziz Tealib

National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG)
Researcher of Solar & Space Research Department
ST

Shimeles Terefe

Space Science and Geo-spatial Institute
PhD candidate
KT

Kshitij Thorat

University of Pretoria
Senior Lecturer
AY

Abdissa Yilma Tiky

Space Science and Geospatial Institute (SSGI)
DG of the Space Science and Geospatial Institute (SSGI)
avatar for Muchammad Toyib

Muchammad Toyib

The East Java Amateur Astronomer Communication Forum
Chairman
avatar for Ceren Ulusoy

Ceren Ulusoy

BIUST
Senior Lecturer
KU

Kabir Umar

National Space Research and Development Agency, Abuja
Scientific Officer
avatar for Yuri  Uno

Yuri Uno

National Chung Hsing University
Student
ZV

Zeblon Vilakazi

UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND
VICE-CHANCELLOR
AW

ahmadou Wague

African Physical Society
AfPS President
SB

Samuel Bogale Worku

Space Science and Geo spatial institute
MSc Astrophysics and Astronomy
avatar for Alemiye Yacob

Alemiye Yacob

Space Science and Geospatial Institute (SSGI) and EA-ROAD
Director