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The Square Kilometre Array, located in South Africa's remote Karoo, has put Africa centre stage when it comes to radio astronomy. And 2018 is set to be a watershed year. The world's largest radio telescope is taking shape and, writes Imogen Whittam, its precursor (known as MeerKAT), is beginning to draw down fascinating data from the skies.
For some background reading, find our special edition for the day featuring our top read articles on astronomy in Africa. Bernard Duah Asabere discusses Ghana's critical role in the Square Kilometre Array project and Imogen Whittam explains how its powerful technology can be used to unlock the secrets of the Universe. Meanwhile, Willice O. Obonyo traces his journey from young stargazer in rural Kenya to a PhD in radio astronomy and Christopher Justin Hendrickse takes us behind the scenes of a huge working telescope to show how clever design can make this crucial work easier.
Like Tanzania’s first president Julius Nyerere, the incumbent John Magufuli displays a strong streak of authoritarianism and is flirting with socialist-leaning polities. Rob Ahearne analyses the direction in which he’s taking the country.
South Africans were appalled last week when it emerged that about 80% of Grade 4 pupils (10-year-olds) cannot read for comprehension. The heart of the problem is the way in which reading is taught in the country’s schools. Peter Rule explains, and suggests some possible solutions.
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An image by MeerKAT shows hydrogen gas in M83, a famous spiral galaxy.
SKA SA
Imogen Whittam, University of the Western Cape
A precursor to the Square Kilometre Array- the MeerKAT telescope - is being built right now and remarkable progress has been made in the last 12 months.
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Dr. Bernard Duah Asabere, Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute
Astronomy on the continent has been given a much needed boost with Ghana's converted radio telescope between it and South Africa, to conduct scientific observations.
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Imogen Whittam, University of the Western Cape
It's difficult to get jets - powerful, lightning fast particles - to give up their secrets. The new Square Kilometre Array radio telescope could hold the key to solving jets' mysteries.
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Willice O. Obonyo, University of Leeds
Very few African universities offer postgraduate degrees in astronomy. This gap in knowledge and training can be addressed through international partnerships and collaboration.
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Christopher Justin Hendrickse, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Technology has redefined astronomy. Pioneering telescope designs have allowed astronomers to unravel ever more complex questions about the universe and its mysteries.
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Julius Nyerere (second right), his successor Ali Hassan Mwinyi (right) and Mwinyi’s successor Benjamin Mkapa (left) host South Africa’s Walter Sisulu in January 1990.
Reuters/File
Rob Ahearne, University of East London
A balance sheet of positives and negatives for Tanzania's president Magufuli is perhaps the most striking similarity with the legacy of Nyerere as the country marks another independence anniversary.
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Mashupye Herbert Maserumule, Tshwane University of Technology
The ANC’s elective conference has very important implications for South Africa’s future. Whoever leads determines the kind of leader the country will get, and what policy trajectory will be taken.
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Education
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Peter Rule, Stellenbosch University
The problem in learners' reading performance lies in how reading is taught in most South African schools. Learners are not taught to understand the written word and make sense of it for themselves.
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Health + Medicine
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Tabitha Mwangi, Anglia Ruskin University
After an exceptional period of success in global malaria control, the progress has stalled. New strategies are needed to suit a variety of transmission patterns.
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From our international editions
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Paul Jepson, University of Oxford; Sergio Henrique Collaco de Carvalho, University of Oxford
This massive savannah needs restoration but we can't rely on food companies to do the hard work.
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Nieves Perez-Solorzano, University of Bristol
The UK government surprised everyone by meeting the criteria to progress to the next phase of talks. Here's what that actually means.
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Beth Hewitt, University of Salford
It's not always easy to tell when someone's out to fool you on the internet, but there are some simple tools you can use.
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