Astro Tourism OPPORTUNITIES FOR ASTRO TOURISM IN THE NORTHERN AND WESTERN CAPE

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1 Astro Tourism OPPORTUNITIES FOR ASTRO TOURISM IN THE NORTHERN AND WESTERN CAPE NSTF DISCUSSION FORUM SCIENCE TOURISM PRESENTER: Lorenzo Raynard

2 South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) National facility for optical and infrared astronomy Founded in 1820 and located in the leafy Southern suburbs of Cape Town. Prime function is to conduct fundamental research in astronomy and astrophysics world class facility to scientists. SAAO headquarters in Observatory, Cape Town is open for night-time visits on the 2 nd Saturday of each month at 20h00. The research library at SAAO dates its existence to the arrival of the first Royal Astronomer in the 1820s.

3 Iziko Planetarium & Digital Dome One of only 6 fully fledged planetaria on the African continent the most advanced digital visualisation technology Multifunctional world class digital full Dome theatre with immersive multi-sensory edutainment experience A space of innovation, exploration and discovery; where art, science and entertainment meet Leaners and educators from primary to tertiary levels benefit from computer generated imagery that makes interactive teaching and visual learning possible Multi-disciplinary linked to natural history museum

4 Southern African Large Telescope Largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere Started observation in Day tours Monday to Fridays from 10h00 to 14h30, Saturdays 11h30 to 14h30 Night tours Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays

5 MeerKAT in the Karoo A precursor instrument to SKA All around us, everywhere in the universe, are the radio frequency emissions that are the leftovers from the Big Bang. At the telescope core location in the Karoo region in South Africa, these emissions have the strongest chance of being detected because the atmosphere is clean and relatively unpolluted by manmade phone signals, television signals, aircraft radar, and other electronic equipment.

6 The MeerKAT Antenna Sophisticated control systems instructed by complex software point the elegant eight-storey high antenna structures for all to listen for the same signal at the same time. Highly shaped and skillfully engineered reflector surfaces guide and concentrate these signals on the most sensitive detectors and low noise amplifiers ever developed. These detect voltages that are converted in real time into high density bits of information that get transferred as binary numbers by laser for several kilometres along the purest glass tubes ever produced by mankind fast fibre optic terrestrial data transfer networks operating of speeds in excess of terabits per second. This is 1000 times faster than the fastest network currently available at Gigabits per second. The optical fibre network will be long enough to wrap twice around the globe!

7 Kutunse conversion instrument Ghana and South Africa celebrate success of African Network of telescopes Ghana is the first partner country of the African Very Large Baseline Interferometer (VLBI) Network (AVN) to complete the conversion of a communications antenna into a functioning radio telescope. The 32- metre converted telecommunications antenna at the Ghana Intelsat Satellite Earth Station at Kutunse will be integrated into the African VLBI Network (AVN) in preparation for the second phase construction of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) across the African continent. Reaching these three objectives confirm that the instrument can operate as a single dish radio telescope and also as part of global VLBI network observations, such as the European VLBI network.

8 AVN across Africa Phase 1: Ghana Phase 3: Kenya Phase 2: Zambia or Madagascar Phase 3: Madagascar or Zambia Phase 2: Namibia Phase 3: Mauritius Phase 2: Botswana Phase 3: Mozambique

9 SKA Visitor / Science Centre in Carnarvon Purpose The visitor centre will serve the following functions: First point of contact with public and VR aspects; Multi-disciplinary; Tier 2 data facility; Linked to other observatories Content: Astronomy, radio astronomy, cultural astronomy Gateway to SKA Community development with specific focus on Youth development Enterprise development Tourist Content development Education & Outreach

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12 Natural fascination with our Universe Observatories are often remote not people / tourist friendly Multi-disciplinary link to indigenous / cultural astronomy; other disciplines such as Palaeo, Genome, Anthro, Geology, History; other activities such as mining, conservation, etc. Enterprise / local economic development impact of observatory on local communities Education / Outreach / Science Engagement accredited tourist activities VR Optimise on international context National Coordination

13 SKA South Africa, a Business Unit of the National Research Foundation. We are building the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope (SKA), located in South Africa and eight other African countries, with part in Australia. The SKA will be the largest radio telescope ever built and will produce science that changes our understanding of the universe Contact information Lorenzo Raynard SKA SA Head: Communications, Stakeholder Relations and Science Engagement lorenzo@ska.ac.za