Classification of radio galaxies is looking at their shape, their morphology. Studying the shapes of galaxies in one thing we use to learn more about the formation and evolution of those great megacities of hundreds of billions stars, black holes and other cosmic beasts. Radio galaxies are galaxies that have very interesting features that are visible in radio wavelengths. Those … Read More
Gigantic galaxies discovered with the MeerKAT telescope. Cover image: The two giant radio galaxies found with the MeerKAT telescope. In the background is the sky as seen in optical light. Overlaid in red is the radio light from the enormous radio galaxies, as seen by MeerKAT. Left: MGTC J095959.63+024608.6. Right: MGTC J100016.84+015133.0. Credit: I. Heywood (Oxford/Rhodes/SARAO). Two giant radio galaxies … Read More
For the first time in the institution’s history, the University of Pretoria (UP) held its annual Academic Achievers’ Awards virtually. By no means, however, was the significance of this prestigious event dampened by what Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe deems to have been “extraordinary circumstances”. “We have been celebrating UP’s academic achievers for more than 20 years,” Prof Kupe … Read More
The agreement forming the Inter-University Institute for Data Intensive Astronomy has been renewed by the University of Cape Town, the University of the Western Cape and the University of Pretoria for a period of five years. IDIA also welcomes a new partner in the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), who operates the MeerKAT telescope. IDIA is the main place … Read More
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Brad Frank in this position that will ensure that the research cloud is able to deliver on the needs of the astronomy research community, in particular for MeerKAT projects that are analysed on the ilifu facility. Dr. Frank first got involved with IDIA in 2016. Back then IDIA had just launched, … Read More
In this new paper, the observations of neutral hydrogen in the MIGHTEE survey conducted on the MeerKAT telescope are described. This particular project addresses 10 science questions, which shows the breadth of science that can be carried out thanks to the unique ability of MeerKAT to observe faint neutral hydrogen signals. Neutral Hydrogen, called HI (H – one) by astronomers, … Read More
The InspiringFifty SA Awards aims to recognise and the increase the visibility of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) who have advanced the STEM fields. InspiringFifty celebrates the diversity of the Top 50 women in STEM in South Africa thus publicly positioning these successful women as role models for the next generation of female leaders in their fields, … Read More
A new multi-wavelength analysis of 620 galaxies attempts to disentangle physical phenomena contributing to the galaxies brightness in radio waves. To properly understand the evolution of galaxies since the first galaxies I the early universe, we need to observe galaxies in different wavelengths, including visible light (optical), infrared, x-ray and radio. Each window of light “sees” different contributions to the … Read More
An SAAO Special Edition of NRF Science Matters Magazine Vol 3 Issue 3 was released by the National Research Foundation. This special edition of Science Matters focuses on the facilities, infrastructure and research themes through which South Africa punches well above its weight in the global Astronomy endeavour. The National Research Foundation hosts a variety of world-leading telescopes such as … Read More
In our continuing Science Engagement And Development Seminar series, we are excited to welcome Prof. Jean Greyling from Computing Sciences at Nelson Mandela University. He comes to tell us about his TANKS application and project. Touching the code – expanding learners’ career horizons. Abstract Software Development has been identified as one of the scarcest skills in South Africa (and most … Read More
