The observable part of our universe is 93 billion light years in diameter and growing. It holds secrets accumulated over 13.8 billion years of interstellar expansion, cosmic explosions, and the fusion of matter that has shaped all that is known and all that isn’t. These are numbers that the mind struggles to comprehend. Just think of the research opportunities that await.

To the north of the North-West University’s (NWU) Mahikeng Campus is a border that separates South Africa from Botswana, just 150 km away. Sometimes at night, Professor Amare Abebe looks up at a sky without parameters or boundaries, where there is no separation between the imagination and the impossible, and he wonders: “How did the universe begin? How is it evolving? What drives the astrophysical processes in it, and why? Are we alone in the universe? These are interesting questions worth pursuing and they have captured my attention for as long as I can remember,” explains the NWU’s research director for the Centre for Space Research (CSR).

Do you remember the name of the third book in Douglas Adams’ six-part series The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: Life, the Universe and Everything?  This is what Prof Abebe and his team at the Centre for Space Research are not only thinking about, but investigating. “The age-old fundamental questions,” as he puts it.

The CSR dates back to the 1950s, is one of five institutional centres of excellence at the NWU, and its scope and key areas of research have long since left the orbit of its humble beginnings. 

“The research done by the members of the CSR is multi-scale, multi-wavelength and interdisciplinary in nature, and can be divided into observational and theoretical research in two areas. The first is heliospheric and space physics, which includes solar physics and materials modelling for space applications. Then there is astrophysics, astronomy and cosmology, which includes galaxy evolution, gamma-ray astrophysics, pulsar astrophysics, stellar astronomy, and cosmology and gravity,” he explains.

“The CSR is currently involved in the numerical and experimental study of materials for space applications, and the development of neutron monitors. The latter has a long history, spanning more than 50 years, and has not only led to groundbreaking research in the field of cosmic ray modulation, but has also played a key role in the training and research activities of many students, some of whom have gone on to become A-rated researchers at this very university. In addition, the observations made using these neutron monitors laid the foundation for the highly successful numerical cosmic ray modulation group in Potchefstroom, which has achieved considerable international renown for its cutting-edge research on the modulation of cosmic rays using computational models. To date, this programme has directly led to five PhDs, 45 MSc degrees and several engineering degrees. This programme has been closely associated with South African activities in Antarctica almost since its inception. The mini-neutron monitor (MNM) was developed by the CSR and MNMs are currently being built at the CSR. These unique detectors are also commercially supplied to other international research teams. MNMs are currently deployed in Germany (Kiel and Zugspitze), Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Spain (currently located at Tede peak, Tenerife), and two instruments at the Finnish research base in Antarctica.”

With a diverse and accomplished team of researchers – including NRF-rated scientists – the CSR offers unique opportunities for students and postdoctoral fellows to engage in world-class research.

“Our mission is to provide our postgraduate students and postdocs with innovative and cutting-edge, nationally and internationally relevant research and training opportunities, both basic and applied. Our students have the opportunity to be trained by internationally recognised, established, and emerging researchers, and can participate in a wide range of local and international collaborations,” says Prof Abebe.  

South Africa’s major investment in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), together with its partner countries, also means that the CSR is uniquely positioned to develop human capital in radio astronomy. 

“Creating a strong footprint in radio astronomy is a key priority area for the CSR, as is maintaining its traditional leadership in space physics and high-energy astrophysics.”

But, there is more: “Space science and astronomy are increasingly collaborative in nature, and far from being blue-sky research, they lead to the acquisition of many real-world applications and skills, as well as spin-off technologies.”

The sky is no longer the limit, and the Latin says it best: Ad astra. To the stars.