Alpha Centauri 2

Community => Recreation Commons => Destination: Alpha Centauri => Topic started by: Buster's Uncle on October 18, 2013, 07:51:45 pm

Title: Ethiopia unveils telescope in first phase of space programme
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 18, 2013, 07:51:45 pm

Ethiopia unveils telescope in first phase of space programme
AFP
By Jenny Vaughan 4 hours ago


(http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/xyWFfjywaGu2j9xLGqsvjw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTY0MTtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz03Njg-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/afp.com/703ff1718475caa0902b6171f6c865d32a93a66a.jpg)
This NASA image obtained on October 16, 2011 shows the Carina Nebula -- a star-forming region of the Milky Way (AFP Photo/)


     
Addis Ababa (AFP) - Ethiopia unveiled Friday the first phase of a space exploration programme, which includes East Africa's largest observatory designed to promote astronomy research in the region.

"The optical astronomical telescope is mainly intended for astronomy and astrophysics observation research," said observatory director Solomon Belay.

The observatory, which will formally be opened on Saturday, boasts two telescopes, each one metre (over three feet) wide, to see "extra planets, different types of stars, the Milky Way, and deep galaxies," Solomon added.

The 3.4 million dollar (2.5 million euro) observatory, run by the Ethiopian Space Science Society (ESSS), is funded by Ethiopian-Saudi business tycoon Mohammed Alamoudi.

The observatory, 3,200 metres (10,500 feet) above sea level in the lush Entoto mountains on the outskirts of the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, is an ideal location because of its minimal cloud cover, moderate winds and low humidity, experts said.

When established in 2004, ESSS was labelled as the "Crazy People's Club", according to the group, but has gained credibility in the past decade with astronomy courses introduced at universities and winning increased political support.

The Ethiopian government is set to launch a space policy in coming years.

Solomon said the group originally faced sceptics in Ethiopia and abroad, who questioned whether space exploration was a wise use of resources in one of Africa's poorest economies, plagued in the past by chronic famine and unrest.

But Solomon said promoting science is key to the development in Ethiopia, today one of Africa's fastest growing economies largely based on agriculture.

"If the economy is strongly linked with science, then we can transform a poor way of agriculture into industrialisation and into modern agriculture," he said.

The ESSS is now looking to open a second observatory 4,200 metres (13,800 feet) above sea level in the mountainous northern town of Lalibela, also the site of the largest cluster of Ethiopia's ancient rock-hewn churches.

Photographs from the ESSS show scientists with testing equipment looking for the best site to put the next telescope on the green and remote peaks, as local villagers wrapped in traditional white blankets watch on curiously, sitting outside their thatch hut homes.

Solomon hopes to boost "astronomy tourism" among space fans interested in coming to one of the least likely countries in the world to boast a space programme, an added economic benefit.

The country will also launch its first satellite in the next three years, ESSS said, to study meteorology and boost telecommunications.

Ethiopia is not the first African nation to look to the skies; South Africa has its own National Space Agency, and in 2009 the African Union announced plans to establish The African Space Agency.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, has also called for a continent-wide space programme.

Solomon said while the next several years will be about boosting research and data collection, along with promoting a strong local and regional interest in astronomy, he is not ruling out sending an Ethiopian into space one day.

"Hopefully we will," he said with a laugh.


http://news.yahoo.com/ethiopia-unveils-telescope-first-phase-space-programme-142437008.html (http://news.yahoo.com/ethiopia-unveils-telescope-first-phase-space-programme-142437008.html)

Title: Re: Ethiopia unveils telescope in first phase of space programme
Post by: Geo on October 18, 2013, 08:10:35 pm

Ah, they're a bit late. In a few weeks there'll be a solar eclipse passing over (among other nations) Ethiopia. But the Flemish groups traveling to Ethiopia don't have a visit to astronomic installations noted in their schedule. I'm pretty sure if this observatory was up and running already, the travel leader would have tried to have a visit scheduled.

Title: Re: Ethiopia unveils telescope in first phase of space programme
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 18, 2013, 08:12:37 pm

...And the Walloons are too busy oppressing everyone to look up...

Title: Re: Ethiopia unveils telescope in first phase of space programme
Post by: Geo on October 18, 2013, 08:18:03 pm

Quote from: BUncle on October 18, 2013, 08:12:37 pm

...And the Walloons are too busy oppressing everyone to look up...

Those poor souls are very depressed (thus looking down) due to the state of their economy... or else to busy screening the grounds for lost objects. ;cute

Title: Re: Ethiopia unveils telescope in first phase of space programme
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 18, 2013, 08:20:15 pm

...They're just ashamed to be Walloons...

Title: Re: Ethiopia unveils telescope in first phase of space programme
Post by: Geo on October 18, 2013, 08:21:21 pm

I assure you they're not!  :o

Title: Re: Ethiopia unveils telescope in first phase of space programme
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 18, 2013, 08:40:14 pm

I bet you can assure me that they should be.

Title: Re: Ethiopia unveils telescope in first phase of space programme
Post by: Geo on October 20, 2013, 04:37:51 pm

I can't, I'm no Bart de Wever. ;cute