FAQ’s

Meeting Dates and Venue:

The BRICS Astronomy Working Group Workshop will take place over a span of four (4) days at the South African Astronomical Observatory, located in Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa, from 16 – 19 October 2023.You can find more information about the venue at https://www.saao.ac.za

Program Details:

The comprehensive program and agenda for the workshop is on the meeting website. You can access these document using the link below:
BAWG 2023 PROGRAM

Meeting Link for Online Attendees:
https://www.parkmedia.live/bawg2023/

Presentations

  • Posters:

Posters  will be presented digitally (as e-posters).  The poster should be submitted as a PDF file in Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080) in landscape format with a width to height ratio of 16:9. It will be displayed on 50 inch screens. You should have a maximum of 4 pages.

  • Oral presentation:

Presentations will be for a maximum of 15 minutes, including time for question and answer.

  • Link to Upload the Presentation:

Please submit your presentation on this link by 15 October 2023:

Airport Transfers and Transportation:

  • Local delegates

Local delegates are kindly requested to make their own transportation arrangements from Cape Town International Airport to their designated hotels and vice versa. We will not be offering transportation to or from Cape Town International Airport.

You can easily reach your hotel from Cape Town International Airport by using app-based taxi services like Uber. There are designated pickup points for these services. Traditional taxis can also be booked at the airport, with taxi kiosks conveniently located before you exit the terminal. Please exercise caution if approached by unregulated taxi operators as you exit the building.

  • International delegates

Airport transfers will be arranged for the international delegates. Transfers will be available to pick you up from Cape Town International Airport and take you to your designated hotel, and vice versa.

Transportation to the Conference Venue:

Please note that transportation to and from the conference venue and hotel will be provided for all delegates, ensuring your convenience during the event. Transportation will be provided throughout the duration of the conference. 

Accommodation:

Please note that you have been assigned single rooms for your accommodation. Delegates will be accommodated either at the Protea Hotel in Observatory or All Africa House in Rondebosch. Both venues are approximately 30 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from the conference venue.

  • All Africa House Address: 43 Stanley Road, Rondebosch 7701 South Africa
  • Protea Hotel address: Liesbeek Avenue, Off Liesbeek Pkwy, Cape Town, 7925

Food:

Breakfast will be included at the hotel, and lunch will be served at the conference venue. Dinner will be provided at the reception on Sunday, 15 October at SAAO,  Monday, 16 October, during the conference dinner at Beluga, V&A Waterfront and at the respective hotels on all the other remaining nights.

There are also various restaurants near the hotels, but we advise against walking alone or at night. You can also explore dining options at the V&A Waterfront or Kloof Street, where taxis & Ubers are readily available.

Phone & Internet:

SIM Cards: 

You can purchase a SIM card at Cape Town airport. 

Language in Cape Town:

English is widely spoken in Cape Town and is the everyday language for most South Africans.

Currency & Payment:

The official currency in South Africa is the Rand (ZAR), and debit or credit cards are accepted in most businesses.

Electricity:

Electrical Devices:

Ensure your electrical devices are compatible with South Africa’s standard voltage of 230V/50Hz. You may need to purchase an adapter for South African electrical sockets, which are available at the airport, supermarkets, and other shops. Don’t forget to ask your hotel’s front desk for assistance.

Weather:

Cape Town experiences springtime in October. The weather during this month is generally mild and pleasant but it’s always a good idea to be prepared for any unexpected changes. While October is generally warm (20-25°C), please bring warm clothing, as temperatures can drop to 10°C or lower at night.

Emergency Contacts:

In case of emergencies, here are important contact numbers:

  – Ambulance: 10177

  – Emergency Call Centre (Cape Town area): 107

  – Emergency Call from Cell Phone: 112

  – Police: 10111

WiFi:

Free WiFi is available at the conference venue, and no password is required to connect.

Contact details: 

Duduzile Kubheka: duduzile@saao.ac.za

Nicky Walker: nicky@idia.ac.za