South African astronomy embarked on an important journey twenty years ago when an initiative to attract and train future scientists in the field welcomed its first group of students under the National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme.
This period saw the establishment of world-class facilities, the most notable of which are the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) and the MeerKAT radio telescope, a precursor to the international Square Kilometer Array. They complement the South African Astronomical Observatory and the Hartebeesthoek Radio Observatory that already existed.
The National Astrophysics and Space Science Program has played a critical role in ensuring that these facilities were not operated solely for the benefit of international partners. It has also contributed individuals with crucial data analytics skills to the country’s growing high-tech workforce.
As astronomers who were part of this journey – organizers, contributors and beneficiaries – we use the date of the twentieth anniversary to reflect on the impact of the program and its significance for the country.
The history
South Africa’s astronomical history, which spans more than 200 years, took a leap forward in 2000 with Cabinet approval for the construction of the Southern African Large Telescope.
In addition to the scientific impact, the idea was to attract and nurture young talent, thereby addressing scientific and technical shortages in South Africa.
At the time, there were only about 40 astronomers with PhDs 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 preparing for SALT and future projects. The Square Kilometer Array (SKA) emerged as an opportunity to house a large international radio telescope that could, among other things, investigate the beginning of the universe. Unfortunately, the shortage of South African astronomers threatened the success of the two projects and Africa’s participation.
Read more: How visionary scientist Bernie Fanaroff put African astronomy on the map
Developing a pipeline
To become a professional astronomer, a PhD in astronomy, physics, or a related subject is required. It takes approximately 10 years to qualify after completing high school. At the time, less than 1% of black high school graduates qualified for a bachelor’s degree in physics or astronomy.
It became clear that universities had to work together if the landscape was to change. The country’s small astronomical community was spread across eight universities and two national facilities.
It was decided to pool resources to create the National Astrophysics and Space Science Program. In this way, university teachers and professionals from national observatories could all contribute to education, while students could choose from a wide range of research projects.
This collaboration, including the organization that became the South African National Space Agency, was aimed at guiding students towards honors and master’s degrees. It emphasized collaboration over institutional interests and targeted young scientists, especially those from previously disadvantaged communities.
The main objectives were clear:
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attracting post-Bachelor of Science students
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recruiting from other countries in Africa
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to entice school leavers to pursue a bachelor’s degree in physics
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Make participation in the program a selling point for all participating universities.
Basic Needs Scholarships were crucial in attracting bright students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Funding from private foundations, particularly the Ford Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, and the Canon Collins Trust, was in addition to very basic grants from the National Research Foundation.
Today, the government’s Ministry of Science and Innovation is the main funder.
The subsidies are sufficient and not generous. Nevertheless, 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 trip to SALT was a truly transformative experience for me… As a child growing up in a small town, the idea of pursuing a career in astronomy seemed like an unattainable dream, especially as a woman of color… That visit however, shattered the limiting factors. beliefs.
As former beneficiary Roger Deane, now professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, put it, the program was critical to the
Track record
By mid-2023, the National Astrophysics and Space Science Program had produced 439 graduates and 215 master’s degrees in astrophysics and space science. Another 27 honors and 21 master’s students will soon graduate, and similar numbers of students will complete their studies in 2024.
A 2023 survey of program graduates had 230 respondents, including 53 graduates from 19 other African countries. The largest numbers came from Uganda, Madagascar, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia and Sudan. Many have returned home.
Former participant Miriam Nyamai said:
Collaborating with international researchers through the program has allowed me to conduct world-class research, attend international conferences and lecture on my work.
Influence
The impact of the program’s graduates extends far beyond academia. Many have gone on to successful careers in various sectors, including industry, education and government.
Graduates have participated in exciting astronomical discoveries. These include taking the first images of black holes with the Event Horizon Telescope, finding some of the most distant galaxies known to date, and using SALT to find the remains of some very massive double stars and unusual to investigate active black holes at great distances.
The work of many individuals has been recognized by national and international bodies and graduates of the program hold important teaching and research posts at South African universities. More than thirty employees work at the national astronomy facilities and the national space agency, while some hold prestigious positions elsewhere in the world. South Africa now has over 200 qualified astronomers, not all of whom come from the National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme.
Nevertheless, filling vacant astronomer posts in South Africa remains a challenge. Many factors contribute to this, including funding, opportunities outside of academia, and the lack of clear career paths. The National Astrophysics and Space Science Program can be only part of the solution to these complex systemic problems.
Future directions
The program has evolved since its inception. Students now have to navigate large amounts of complicated data of different types, from different sources. Machine learning and artificial intelligence are indispensable. Students need to know what these tools can and cannot do because they push the boundaries of our understanding. This is a challenge for both students and their mentors.
The main obstacle now, as it was twenty years ago, lies in helping university staff to collaborate across institutions in such a way that their work is recognized and rewarded. This requires senior administrators to understand that collaboration between universities is an investment in their own institutions and in the advancement of South African science.
To commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme, a two-day symposium was organized at the University of Cape Town in South Africa in January 2024.
This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit organization providing facts and trusted analysis to help you understand our complex world. It was 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 for the South African Astronomical Observatory, a business unit of the National Research Foundation.
Rosalind Skelton receives funding from the National Research Foundation. She works for the South African Astronomical Observatory, a business unit of the National Research Foundation.