CONFERENCE OF THE AFRICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY – AfAS2021
PROGRAMME
Day 1 (Monday: 08 March 2021)
Session 1: Opening Ceremony
| Programme Director: Mr. Daan DU TOIT – DSI DDG ICR | |
| 09:00 – 10:25 | Opening, Welcome address and the Keynote address: 09:05 – 09:10: Programme Director (Mr. Daan DU TOIT – DSI DDG ICR) 09:10 – 09:20: Welcoming Remarks by the President of AfAS and introduction of the South African Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation (Prof. Jamal Mimouni) 09:20 – 09:40: Opening Keynote Address by the South African Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation (Dr. Bonginkosi Emmanuel Nzimande) 09:40 – 09:45: Message from African Union Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology (H.E. Professor Sarah Mbi Enow Anyang) 09:45 – 09:50: Message from President of IAU (Prof. Ewine van Dishoeck) 09:50 – 09:55: Message from DG Scientific and Technological Research (Algeria) (Prof. Hafid Aourag) 09:55 – 10:00: Message from Acting CEO NRF (Dr. Gansen Pillay) 10:00 – 10:05: Message from President of SAIP (Prof. Deena Naidoo) 10:05 – 10:10: Message from Ethiopian representative Ministry of Innovation and Technology (Dr. Solomon Belay Tessema) 10:10 – 10:15: Message from East African Astronomy Society (Prof. Paul Baki) 10:15 – 10:20: Message from Director NASRDA (Dr. Bonaventure Okere) 10:20 – 10:25: Message from the IAU-OAD (Mr. Kevin Govender) |
| 10:25 -10:40 | Break |
Session 2: Plenary 1
Chair: Jamal Mimouni
| 10:40 – 11:00 (CAT) | Rhodri Evans, University of Namibia, Namibia The Africa Millimetre Telescope – Observing the Galaxy’s central black hole |
| 11:00 – 11:20 | Carla Sharpe, SARAO, RSA SARAO, AVN and the Africa Programme |
| 11:20 – 11:40 | Fernando Camilo, SARAO, RSA MeerKAT Updates and Early Science |
| 11:40 – 12:00 | Sivuyile Manxoyi, SAAO, RSA Seasoning society with SALT: Reflections and lessons from the SALT Collateral Benefits Programme (SCBP) |
| 12:00 – 12:30 | Lunch break |
Session 3: Plenary 2
Chair: Shazrene Mohamed
| 12:30 – 12:50 (CAT) | Beza Tesfaye, SGAC, Ethiopia Space in Africa |
| 12:50 – 13:10 | Jamal Mimouni, University of Constantine, Algeria The Micro & Macro Worlds Circa Early XXIst Century |
| 13:10 – 13:30 | Sarah White, Rhodes University, RSA The brightest radio-sources in the southern sky |
| 13:30 – 13:50 | Itumeleng Monageng, UCT/SAAO A study of the outbursting behavior of the Be X-ray binary, SXP91.1 |
| 13:50 – 14:10 | Naftali Kimani, Kenyatta University, Kenya The evolution of Radio supernova SN2008iz in M82 Galaxy |
Close: Day 1
Day 2 (Tuesday: 09 March 2021)
Session 4: Plenary 3
Chair: David Buckley
| 09:30 – 09:45 (CAT) | Vanessa McBride, IAU-OAD/UCT, RSA The neutron star populations of the Small Magellanic Cloud |
| 09:45 – 10:00 | Elizabeth Naluminsa, Kyambogo University, Uganda HI Scaling Relations in WISE-WHISP Galaxies |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Lina Canas, IAU OAO, Japan The IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach: Building Bridges Through International Cooperation (invited) |
| 10:15 – 10:30 | Markus Pössel, IAU OAE, Germany The IAU Office of Astronomy for Education (invited) |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Break |
Session 5: Parallel Session 1
| Chair: Zara Randriamanakoto | Chair: Sarah Abotsi-Masters | |
| 10:45 – 11:00 (CAT) | Charles Takalana, AfAS, DSI, SARAO, WITS University, RSA Simulated differential observations of the Sunyaev-Zel’dovich Effect: Probing the Dark Ages and Epoch of Reionization | Prospery Simpemba, Copperbelt University, Zambia Astronomy Education in primary schools as a foundation for STEM & Impact of AstroLab, Go-Lab and NASE workshops, Case Analyses |
| 11:00 – 11:15 | James Chibueze, North-West University, RSA MeerKAT reveals an interaction between jets and intra-cluster magnetic layer | Carl Pennypacker, UC Berkeley, USA Encouraging Results from an Online Teacher Training Workshop in Astronomy Education for Uganda Secondary Teachers |
| 11:15 – 11:30 | Hassan Abdalla, University of Namibia, Namibia Probing fundamental physics and cosmology using Gamma-ray observations | Joshua Kalognia, SIR-Institute for Science, Promoting Radio Astronomy in Ghana through School Visit and Astronomy clubs |
| 11:30 – 11:45 | Louis Perenon, UWC, RSA, Multitasking the growth of structures | Discussion |
| 11:45 – 12:00 | Brenda Namumba, Rhodes University, RSA The NGC 7232 galaxy group with MeerKAT | Lunch Break |
| 12:00 – 12:30 | Lunch Break | Lunch Break |
Session 6: Parallel Session 2
| Chair: Itumeleng Monageng | Chair: Zara Randriamanakoto | |
| 12:30 – 12:45 (CAT) | Rajeev Manick, SAAO, RSA The Binary nature of the central star of the PPN IRAS 08005-2356 | Nadeem Oozeer, SARAO, RSA How do we up-skill Africa through the JEDI? |
| 12:45 – 13:00 | Marisa Geyer, SARAO, RSA Pulsars with MeerKAT and the giant bursts from PSR J0540-6919 in the LMC | Michelle Gerbaldi, Institut d’Astrophysiq ue de Paris (IAP), France Telescopic Observations from School to University: Practical Activities for Scientific Skills |
| 13:00 – 13:15 | Magdeline Matobe, NWU, RSA Asteroseismic and astrometric characterization of members in the NGC 6866 open cluster | Margaret Ikape, University of Toronto, Canada The Pan-African School for Emerging Astronomers |
| 13:15 – 13:30 | Priya Hasan, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad, India Kinematics and Progress of Star Formation in Star Clusters with Kottamia Observatory | Gyula Jozsa, SARAO, RSA Galactic Fidelity: an Africa-centered international learning initiative |
| 13:30 – 13:45 | Sarah Buchner, SARAO, RSA Pulsar timing on MeerKAT | Discussion |
| 13:45 – 14:00 | Break | Break |
Session 7: Parallel Session 3
| Chair: Lerothodi Leeuw | Chair: Jamal Mimouni | |
| 14:00 – 14:15 (CAT) | Babatunde Akinsanmi, University of porto, Portugal The quest to find rings aroundexoplanets | Bonnie Thurber, Hands on Universe, Lawrence Berkeley Labs,USA Astronomy Research by Student Teams Modeled after Real Astronomy Research |
| 14:15 – 14:30 | Benkhaldoun Zouhair, Cadi AyyadUniversity, Oukaimeden Observatory, Morocco Monitoring the activity and composition of the first interstellar comet 2I/Borisov with TRAPPIST telescopes | Maram Kaire, Association Senegalaise pour la Promotion de l’Astronomie, Senegal Senegal Observatio n of the stellar Occultation of Polymele |
| 14:30 – 14:45 | Timothy Egbuim, National Space Research and Development Agency, Nigeria Evolutionary Panspermia: Planets MicroLife and Beyond | Ikechuwu Anthony Obi, NASRDACentre for Basic Space Science, Nigeria A compact and portable hydrogen line radio telescope for education and outreach |
| 14:45 – 15:00 | Salma Sylla, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal Measuring variability with small telescopes: Monitoring impact flashes on Jupiter and the study of variable star | Aniket Sule, HBCSE, India International Astronomy Olympiads – engaging Africa (invited) |
| 15:00 – 15:15 | Jean-Baptiste Kikwaya Eluo, Vatican Observation, Italy Physical Characterization of Near-Earth Objects (From spectroscopy back to spectrophotometry) | Discussion |
Close: Day 2
Day 3 (Wednesday: 10 March 2021)
Session 8: Planetary 4
Chair: Niruj Ramanujam
| 09:30 – 09:45 (CAT) | Petri Vaisanen, SAAO/SALT, RSA An update on SALT |
| 09:45 – 10:00 | David Buckley, SAAO, RSA Observing Optical Transients in Africa |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Kevin Govender, IAU OAD, RSA Astronomy for Development |
| 10:15 – 10:30 | Susan Murabana, APA, Kenya African Planetarium Association |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Break |
Session 9: Parallel Session 4
| Chair: James Chibueze | Chair: Ramasamy Venugopal | |
| 10:45 – 11:00 (CAT) | Michelle Lochner, South African Radio Astronomy Observatory, RSA Anomaly Detection in Astronomy with Machine Learning | Alemiye Yacob Mamo, EAROAD/ESSTI, Ethiopia Overview of EAROAD and Space Science Development in Ethiopia |
| 11:00 – 11:15 | Stephen Potter, SAAO, RSA SAAO’s Intelligent Observatory (IO) | Nnaemeka Dom Onyeuwaoma, NASRDACentre for Basic Space Science, Nsukka, Nigeria The West African Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (WAROAD): The Journey So Fa |
| 11:15 – 11:30 | Patrick Woudt, UCT, RSA ThunderKAT and MeerLICHT: a multiwavelength study of astrophysical transients | Prospery Simpemba, Copperbelt University, Zambia Southern African Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (SAROAD) 7 Years after Establishment |
| 11:30 – 11:45 | Tana Joseph, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands An SKA precursor view of the Small Magellanic Cloud | Sylvain Bouley, Société Astronomique de France, France L’Astronomie Afrique, the first astronomy webzine in Africa |
| 11:45 – 12:00 | Lunch | Discussion |
| 12:00 – 12:30 | Lunch |
Session 10: Parallel Session 5
| Chair: Paul Baki | Chair: Susan Murabana | |
| 12:30 – 12:45 (CAT) | Tahina Princy Ranaivoma nana, University of Manchester, UK The SUNBIRD survey: Young massive star clusters hosted by strongly starforming galaxies | Sally Macfarlane, UCT, RSA A Full dome look at African Astronomy |
| 12:45– 13:00 | Julien Larena, University of Cape Town, RSA Line-of-sight effects in gravitational lensing | Hichem Guergouri, Sirius Astronomy Association Algeria Constantine Cosmic Caravane |
| 13:00 – 13:15 | Dejene Zewdie Woldeyes, Universidad Diego Portales, Chile The Environments of Hot Dust Obscured Galaxies | Nico van den Merwe, South Africa Developing Affordable Portable Planetariums for the African Continent |
| 13:15 – 13:30 | Break | Discussion |
| 13:30 – 13:45 | Break |
Session 11: Parallel Session 6
| Chair: Rajeev Manick | Chair: Niruj Ramanujam | |
| 13:45 – 14:00 (CAT) | Johnson Urama, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria THE UNENDING RIDDLES OF NEUTRON STAR GLITCHES | Daniel Cunnama, SAAO, RSA The Cosmic Savannah Podcast |
| 14:00 – 14:15 | Nekolgne Aymard Badolo, University Joseph KIZERBO, Burkina Faso Loss of mass of evolved stars via observations with sphere at the VLT | Rosa Doran, NUCLIO, Portugal Digital tools and resources to empower educators and learners |
| 14:15 – 14:30 | Mohamed Darwish Darwish, NRIAG, Egypt Cosmic masers toward high-mass star forming regions | Nikhita Madhanpall, IAU OAD, RSA Data science skills development in Africa with big data hackathon |
| 14:30 – 14:45 | Oyirwoth Patrick Abedigamba, North-West University, RSA Kepler space observations of diperiodic and ellipsoidal star: KIC 5112836 | Zoe Chee, Astronomers without Borders, Canada Astronomers Without Borders – Building Community through Astronomy (invited) |
| 14:45 – 15:00 | Hambeleleni Davids, University of Namibia, Namibia Estimating Uncertainties in the Predicted Gamma-ray Flux of Globular Clusters in the Cherenkov Telescope Array Era | Discussion |
| 15:00 – 15:15 | Break |
Session 12: Special Session 1
General discussion on the IAU General Assembly 2024 in Cape Town
Convener: Vanessa McBride
| 15:15 – 16:30 (CAT) | Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83750581121?pwd=cldOcUZoT0MzV3F1QU4rZ09HMTB4dz09 – Introduction to GA2024: Vanessa McBride (10 mins) – The science sub-committee: Shazrene Mohamed / Bradley Frank (15 mins) – Questions/Discussion (15 minutes) – The outreach sub-committee: Carolina Ödman-Govender / Moses Mogotsi (10 mins) – Questions/Discussion (15 minutes) – Call to Action and Session closing: Shazrene Mohamed (5-10 mins) |
Close: Day 3
Day 4 (Thursday: 11 March 2021)
Session 13: Planetary 5
Chair: Renée Kraan-Kortweg
| 09:30 – 09:45 (CAT) | Zara Randriamanakoto, SAAO, RSA Star clusters and radio AGNs as vital tools to study galaxy formation and evolution |
| 09:45 – 10:00 | Kenda Knowles, UKZN, RSA Galaxy Clusters with MeerKAT |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Alemiye Mamo, ESSTI, Ethiopia 2020 Annular Solar Eclipse in Lalibela, Ethiopia (invited) |
| 10:15 – 10:30 | Niruj Ramanujam, SARAO, RSA Enabling pan-African outreach campaigns: the role of AfAS |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Break |
Session 14: Parallel Session
| Chair: Naftali Kimani | Chair: Amidou Sorgho | |
| 10:45 – 11:00 (CAT) | Ayodeji Ibitoye, University of KwaZulu Natal, RSA Cosmological parameter estimation with thermal Sunyaev Zeldovich effect and projected density field | Ramasamy Venugopal, IAU-OAD, RSA Astronomy for Development: an African view (invited) |
| 11:00 – 11:15 | Imogen Whittam, University of Oxford / UWC, RSA/UK Exploring radio galaxies with the MIGHTEE survey | Getachew Mekonnen Mengistie, University of Namibia, Namibia Astronomy, and Its Impact in Namibia: Astro-tourism |
| 11:15 – 11:30 | Neo Namane, Rhodes University, RSA, MIGHTEE, but radio quiet: An investigation of AGN emission | Tawanda Chingozha, IAU OAD, RSA Impact of Science on Development – Perspectives from Sutherland |
| 11:30 – 11:45 | Cláudio Paulo, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique Statistical analysis of radio halo and relics sample in Galaxy Clusters | Discussion |
| 11:45 – 12:30 | Lunch | Lunch |
Session 15: Parallel Session
| Chair: Vanessa McBride | Chair: Alemiye Mamo | |
| 12:30 – 12:45 (CAT) | Innocent, Eya, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria Magnitude of Neutron Star Crustal Fluid and Evolution Vela-like Glitches | El Yajouri Meriem, National Outreach Coordinator, Morocco The most successful astronomy outreach events in Morocco in 2019-2020 |
| 12:45 – 13:00 | Willice Obonyo Non-thermal radio emission from massive protostars | Somaya Saad, National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG), Egypt Astronomy Development, Education, and outreach in Egypt: Challenges and Prospects |
| 13:00 – 13:15 | Tolu Biressa, Jimma University, Ethiopia, Ethiopia The rate of star formation in interacting molecular clouds with stellar activity | Johnson Urama, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria The African Cultural Astronomy Project: The Hidden Treasure |
| 13:15 – 13:30 | Break | Discussion |
| 13:30 – 14:00 | Break | Break |
Session 16: Parallel Session
| Chair: Brenda Namumba | Chair: Prospery Simpemba | |
| 14:00 – 14:15 (CAT) | Amidou Sorgho, CSIC-IAA, Spain Angular momentum of isolated galaxies | Claudio Paulo, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique The constraint of astronomy research in Mozambique |
| 14:15 – 14:30 | Sourabh Paul, University of the Western Cape, RSA HI intensity mapping with the MeerKAT interferometer: power spectrum estimates | Kirubel Menberu, Ethiopian Space Science Society, Ethiopia Projects on expansion and development of amateur astronomy for youth in Ethiopia |
| 14:30 – 14:45 | Mazengo Daudi, The University of Dodoma, Tanzania Detailed characterization of LINERs in the local universe | Tahina Princy Ranaivomanana, University of Manchester, UK Developing Astronomy in Madagascar: Young Malagasy graduate students taking charge. |
| 14:45 – 15:00 | Sultan Hassan, Flatiron Institute, USA Can galaxy evolution mimic Cosmic Reionization? | Discussion |
| 15:00 – 15:30 | Break | Break |
Session 17: Special Session 2
Science Communication Workshop
Convener: Carolina Odman
| 15:30 – 17:00 (CAT)”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””” | Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83423181650?pwd=ZDJ5eDlHdStaWUgvUkdDSEVXNkVCZz09 A workshop on science communication for everyone The science communication session will be a highly interactive session with discussions with the participants about various topics. It is structured into four 20-minute discussions about: – Knowing your audience – Knowing your medium of communications – Creating communication opportunities – Dealing with challenges Each section will have a 5-minute introduction and be followed by a conversation among the participants. The discussions will be summarised into a document that will be shared with the AfAS community. |
Close: Day 4
Day 5 (Friday: 12 March 2021)
AfAS Business Focus
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84277792752?pwd=NHI2Sm5PcXJmZVg0RTgxZlB0QmZJdz09
Session 18: Business/General Meeting
| 09:30 – 09:40 (CAT) | AfAS President’s Review of 2020 (Jamal Mimouni) |
| 09:40 – 09:50 | Science (David Buckley) |
| 09:50 – 10:00 | Outreach (Niruj Ramanujam) |
| 10:00 – 10:05 | Education (Palesa Nombula) |
| 10:05 – 10:10 | Communications (Charles Takalana) |
| 10:10 – 10:25 | Membership (Sarah Abotsi-Masters) |
| 10:25 – 10:40 | Questions from members |
| 10:40 – 10:50 | Amendments to AfAS Constitution (Yunus Manjoo) |
| 10:50 – 11:00 | General Question & Answer Session |
| 11:00 – 11:15 | Comments on the overall AfAS2021 conference from participants |
| 11:15 – 11:35 | Remarks (Petri Vaisanen, Renée Kraan-Kortewg, Noorali Jiwaji, Zouhair Benkhaldoun) |
| 11:35– 11:45 | Announcements and Vote of thanks (Lerothodi Leeuw) |
| 11:45 – 12:15 | Lunch |
Session 19: Special Session 3 & 4
| 12:15 – 13:15 | Special Session 3: African Network of Women in Astronomy (AfNWA): current status and way Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83720033389?pwd=by9kNVVub1ZWK2hUNUYrY0ZXWUtUZz09 Abstract: African Network of Women in Astronomy (AfNWA) has been established recently under the African Astronomical Society (AfAS). Astronomy and space sciences are experiencing significant growth in Africa. For the benefit of all, with AfNWA initiative we would like to guarantee female participation at all levels of these new and important developments, to improve the status of women in science in Africa where currently in most of the countries the number of female researchers is < 25% (see UNESCO 2019 Women in Science report), and to use astronomy to inspire more girls to do STEM. AfNWA aims to connect and give more visibility to all women working in astronomy and related fields in Africa. However, AfNWA objectives cannot be achieved without the full support and participation of the whole society, independently on gender and affiliation/country. During this special session we will go through the previous work and current status of AfNWA. We will also discuss on the list of planned activities and on the best way for Network to move forward. |
| 13:15 – 13:30 ””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””” | Break |
| 13:30 – 14:30 | Special Session 4: Amateur Astronomy Associations in Africa Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88427847572?pwd=TUJ6OWNJSnR4UlE1MUJTSk13cmFFUT09 Abstract: This session is meant for members of amateur astronomy associations in Africa and will be one of the first meetings of its kind. The discussion will focus on the feasibility of forming a common platform of all such associations and explore the nature of collaborations that can be undertaken by these groups together. Other participants who are interested in working closely with African amateur astronomy associations are welcome to attend as well. |
| 14:30 – 14:40 | Feedback on conference |
| 14:40 – 14:45 | Vote of thanks (Jamal Mimouni) |
Close: Day 5
Science Posters:
| Asrate Gaulle Asrie (Dilla University) An Alternative Method for Measuring the Accretion Rate in Active Galactic Nuclei |
| Betelehem Bilata (Debre Berhan University (DBU)) Multiwavelength morphological study of active galaxies in the BASS survey |
| Dr. Getachew Mekonnen Mengistie Listening the Sound of Stars: Asteroseismology |
| Dugasa Belay Zeleke (Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute) Effects of the dynamo magnetic fields on observational properties of Accreting Millisecond X-ray Pulsars |
| Lerothodi Leeuw (University of the Western Cape) Constraining Proto-clusters with MeerKAT |
| Margaret Ikape (University of Toronto) Mitigating the optical depth degeneracy using the kinematic Sunyaev-Zel’dovich effect with CMB-S4 |
| Mejri Ziad (Tunisian Outreach (IAU)) Solar System |
| Nazir Ahmed Makda (SAAO) Ultra-Diffuse Galaxy Candidates in Stripe 82 Clusters |
| Seblu Humne Negu (Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute, Entoto Observatory and Reserach Center) Mass-luminosity relation of the low-mass Algol-type eclipsing binaries |
| Abdelaziz Eid (National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG)) An astrometric and photometric study of the young open cluster NGC 2168 and its possible member, the eclipsing binary [NBN2015]77 |
Education, Development and Outreach Posters
| Priya Hasan (Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad, India) Clear Skies: An IUA-OAD Project |
| Elimboto Yohana (Dar Es Salaam University College of Education (www.duce.ac.tz) ) Digital and Web-based Technologies for Accelerated STEM Teaching, Learning, and Research |
| Ceren Ulusoy (BIUST) Highlights of the recent developments of Astronomy in Botswana |
| Ashraf Tadross (National research institute of astronomy and geophysics) My experience in Astronomy Outreach in Egypt |
| Eugene Tetteh-Owusu Okwei (University of Leeds) Understanding the impact of large-scale Radio Astronomy projects on student engagement with physics in Ghana |
| Tumo Fortunate Kedumele (Botswana International University of Science and Technology and Women in STEM (WiS)) Outreach Project: Astronomy for Change in Botswana through Women in STEM (WiS) |