The Minister of Science and Technology, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubani, will launch the Mahikeng Astronomy Telescope (MAT) at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Mahikeng on Friday 7 September. This puts the institution on a par with well-established institutions such as the universities of the Western Cape and Cape Town.

The MAT is co-funded by the Department of Science and Technology in an effort to develop astronomy and related sciences at historically disadvantaged universities. It also demonstrates the country’s growing capabilities in the field, led by world-class projects like the building of the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope, which excites the global scientific community.

The MAT programme is led by Prof Thebe Medupe who started astronomy in the former Physics Department on the campus in 2010, attracting students and postdoctoral fellows to the NWU.

Currently, the campus’ subject group Physics has four astronomers with PhDs, one student completing his PhD and two space scientists, as well as many other physicists. Several top astronomers have also been to the campus to do research, demonstrating that the programme has the potential for further growth.

The telescope is a 16-inch Meade LX200 GPS, which is housed at the Mahikeng Astronomical Observatory. It will be operated remotely, which will allow learners and educators to access it from anywhere in the country, making the MAT a powerful teaching tool. 

The telescope will be used for bright star research 60% of the time, allowing astronomers at the campus in Mahikeng to study the interiors and the evolution of stars. Since it can be operated remotely, it will also be used for outreach purposes across the country.

The media are invited as follows:

Date: Friday, 7 September 2018 

Time: 09:00 – 13:00

Venue: The NWU’s campus in Mahikeng

Issued by the Department of Science and Technology and North-West University

For more information, please contact Veronica Mohapeloa at veronica.mohapeloa@dst.gov.za, 083 400 5750 or 012 843 6788 or Phenyo Mokgothu at 076 687 9250 or Phenyo.mokgothu@nwu.ac.za