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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
Back To Schedule
Wednesday, March 15 • 09:00 - 11:00
Session 11: Plenary 4 (Science and Outreach)

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Open Zoom

09:00 – 09:30
Yin-Zhe Ma
UKZN
Cosmology: A golden era

09:30 – 10:00
Michael Backes
University of Namibia
Towards movies of black holes with the Africa Millimetre Telescope

10:00 – 10:30
Zara Randriamanakoto
SAAO
Building a network of amateurs astronomers in Madagascar from scratch

10:30 – 11:00
Dominic Vertue
IAU-OAD
Astronomy for Mental Health
Chair
avatar for Sally Macfarlane

Sally Macfarlane

SAAO
Dr Sally Macfarlane is a co-chair of the AfAS outreach committee and deputy chair of the African Planetarium Association (APA). She is currently working as an astrophysics post-doctoral fellow at the South African Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town. Part of her research is to explore... Read More →

Speakers
avatar for Yin-Zhe Ma

Yin-Zhe Ma

Full Professor, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Professor Yin-Zhe Ma obtained his Bachelor's degree in Physics from Nanjing University, a master's degree from the Institute of Theoretical Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (supervisor: Prof. Rong-Gen Cai), and a PhD degree in Astronomy from the University of Cambridge (supervisor... Read More →
avatar for Michael Backes

Michael Backes

Associate Professor & Co-PI Africa Millimetre Telescope, University of Namibia
Prof. Michael Backes is Associate Professor, Head of the Namibian H.E.S.S. group, and of astrophysics at the University of Namibia (UNAM), as well as Extraordinary Associate Professor at North-West University (South Africa) and Academic Visitor at the University of Oxford (UK). He... Read More →
avatar for Zara Randriamanakoto

Zara Randriamanakoto

Astronomer/Visiting lecturer, South African Astronomical Observatory/University of Antananarivo
Zara Randriamanakoto is a research astronomer at the South African Astronomical Observatory and a visiting research affiliate at the University of Antananarivo, Madagascar (her home country). She holds PhD and MSc degrees in Astronomy from the University of Cape Town and a BSc Honours... Read More →
avatar for Dominic Vertue

Dominic Vertue

Visiting Fellow, Office of Astronomy for Development
Dominic Vertue joined the OAD in June 2022. He has a background in Social Work and humanitarian assistance with a master’s in medical social work. Dominic has a passion for people and holds a firm belief that, with support, individuals can overcome their physical, environmental... Read More →

Wednesday March 15, 2023 09:00 - 11:00 SAST
Tapestry Room
  Plenary

Attendees (33)