You can view the page at http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/content.php?201-Telescope-could-answer-alien-question-Zuma
-
Join the MyBroadband community
South Africa’s biggest forum. Discuss, discover, and connect with thousands of members.
-
Question of the Day: Have you ever been to an airshow?
Article: Telescope could answer alien question: Zuma
- Thread starter rpm
- Start date
wrathex
Expert Member
South African Astronomy
South Africa has the expertise, skill and experience to make a huge success of this project.
The first South African astronomical observatory was founded in 1820 in the suburb of Observatory in Cape Town city, and this building still serves as national astronomical headquarters to this day.
(Under British rule at the time, this observatory was also awarded two Royal Medals for astronomical achievements by the Queen)
The Cape Astronomical Association was established in 1912, then The Johannesburg Astronomical Association was created in 1918, 4 years later in 1922 they merged into what is now known as the Astronomical Society of South Africa 'ASSA', which today serves as a body for provincial, professional and amateur astronomers.
We also host the South African Large Telescope (SALT), in Sutherland, which serves as the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere.
SALT has an upgraded optical system using more of the hexagonal mirror array, measuring 11 metres across, than the only other similar telescope in Texas USA.
It can record distant stars, galaxies and quasars a billion times too faint to be seen with the unaided eye.
South Africa has the expertise, skill and experience to make a huge success of this project.
The first South African astronomical observatory was founded in 1820 in the suburb of Observatory in Cape Town city, and this building still serves as national astronomical headquarters to this day.
(Under British rule at the time, this observatory was also awarded two Royal Medals for astronomical achievements by the Queen)
The Cape Astronomical Association was established in 1912, then The Johannesburg Astronomical Association was created in 1918, 4 years later in 1922 they merged into what is now known as the Astronomical Society of South Africa 'ASSA', which today serves as a body for provincial, professional and amateur astronomers.
We also host the South African Large Telescope (SALT), in Sutherland, which serves as the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere.
SALT has an upgraded optical system using more of the hexagonal mirror array, measuring 11 metres across, than the only other similar telescope in Texas USA.
It can record distant stars, galaxies and quasars a billion times too faint to be seen with the unaided eye.
Are you insane?
wrathex
Expert Member
Palimino, seems like you might have been right, there's some jostling taking place over at the Observatory.
I don't understand this action by government, I can't imagine what information was in the leaked documents,
perhaps some sort of nepotistic political manoevering.
Damn, and I was so proud of The South African Astronomical status quo, article follows below:
Chief astronomer suspended
By Craig McKune
Original source: Cape Times
South Africa's chief astronomer, the highly regarded director of the South African Astronomical Observatory Phil Charles, has been suspended by the National Research Foundation.
He faces potential dismissal over his alleged leaking of confidential information to fellow scientists and is to face a disciplinary hearing in the next few days.
Charles was instrumental in the rollout of the South African Large Telescope (Salt) in Sutherland, and he is a key player in South Africa's bid to win the R20-billion Square Kilometre Array (Ska) contract.
Charles confirmed he had been suspended "summarily, without warning", by the foundation last Monday.
The foundation manages the observatory and falls under the Department of Science and Technology.
Charles said his hearing was to take place in about a week, but a date had not been set.
In an internal memo to staff "to contextualise recent developments and processes of a confidential nature", National Research Foundation vice-president Gatsha Mazithulela said there were "tensions" in the organisation over moves to strengthen "management of corporate issues".
"(These) led to the leaking of confidential foundation documents, or contents from those documents, to members of our South African and the international academic communities. These events have led to the suspension of (Charles) pending further inquiries."
According to an astronomer, who asked not to be named, these "tensions" pointed to a broader debate between "the open academic environment and closed bureaucratic structures".
Mazithulela said "misinterpretation" of processes and the leaking of documents had "unfortunately caused undue distress among our local and international partners".
"The National Research Foundation would like to emphasise that there is no intention to change fundamentally the leadership of the National Research Facilities (such as the South African Astronomical Observatory) from excellent scientists to administrators," he said.
Charles said he had not received Mazithulela's letter to the foundation's staff, but declined to comment further.
Ted Williams, chairman of Salt's board, said: "I can say only that the board has recently been informed of the suspension of Phil Charles as director of the South African Astronomical Observatory, and has not reached a position on the matter."
Marian Shinn, DA MP, said she had spoken to National Research Foundation chief executive Albert van Jaarsveld.
"He said the disciplinary action against Charles had the approval of the National Research Foundation board and the director-general of the Department of Science and Technology, Phil Mjwara."
Shinn called on the foundation to be more open about the matter.
"Scientists I spoke to believe Charles is being punished because he declined to exclude the astronomical community from giving their input into decisions that might affect their livelihood and working facilities."
Bernie Fanaroff, head of South Africa's Ska project, declined to comment. It has been speculated that the suspension could be related to Salt, which has been out of commission since April, but Charles said this was not the case.
The Department of Science and Technology and National Research Foundation have not responded to requests for comment.
I don't understand this action by government, I can't imagine what information was in the leaked documents,
perhaps some sort of nepotistic political manoevering.
Damn, and I was so proud of The South African Astronomical status quo, article follows below:
Chief astronomer suspended
By Craig McKune
Original source: Cape Times
South Africa's chief astronomer, the highly regarded director of the South African Astronomical Observatory Phil Charles, has been suspended by the National Research Foundation.
He faces potential dismissal over his alleged leaking of confidential information to fellow scientists and is to face a disciplinary hearing in the next few days.
Charles was instrumental in the rollout of the South African Large Telescope (Salt) in Sutherland, and he is a key player in South Africa's bid to win the R20-billion Square Kilometre Array (Ska) contract.
Charles confirmed he had been suspended "summarily, without warning", by the foundation last Monday.
The foundation manages the observatory and falls under the Department of Science and Technology.
Charles said his hearing was to take place in about a week, but a date had not been set.
In an internal memo to staff "to contextualise recent developments and processes of a confidential nature", National Research Foundation vice-president Gatsha Mazithulela said there were "tensions" in the organisation over moves to strengthen "management of corporate issues".
"(These) led to the leaking of confidential foundation documents, or contents from those documents, to members of our South African and the international academic communities. These events have led to the suspension of (Charles) pending further inquiries."
According to an astronomer, who asked not to be named, these "tensions" pointed to a broader debate between "the open academic environment and closed bureaucratic structures".
Mazithulela said "misinterpretation" of processes and the leaking of documents had "unfortunately caused undue distress among our local and international partners".
"The National Research Foundation would like to emphasise that there is no intention to change fundamentally the leadership of the National Research Facilities (such as the South African Astronomical Observatory) from excellent scientists to administrators," he said.
Charles said he had not received Mazithulela's letter to the foundation's staff, but declined to comment further.
Ted Williams, chairman of Salt's board, said: "I can say only that the board has recently been informed of the suspension of Phil Charles as director of the South African Astronomical Observatory, and has not reached a position on the matter."
Marian Shinn, DA MP, said she had spoken to National Research Foundation chief executive Albert van Jaarsveld.
"He said the disciplinary action against Charles had the approval of the National Research Foundation board and the director-general of the Department of Science and Technology, Phil Mjwara."
Shinn called on the foundation to be more open about the matter.
"Scientists I spoke to believe Charles is being punished because he declined to exclude the astronomical community from giving their input into decisions that might affect their livelihood and working facilities."
Bernie Fanaroff, head of South Africa's Ska project, declined to comment. It has been speculated that the suspension could be related to Salt, which has been out of commission since April, but Charles said this was not the case.
The Department of Science and Technology and National Research Foundation have not responded to requests for comment.
I recall thinking about this when it was first mooted. Australia was one of the competing locations. I thought then that SA didn’t have a chance. Consider:
1. A skills base that was white. There is no bling associated with astronomy (only knowledge) so no blacks. The astronomy sector wouldn’t be ‘transformed’ so it would be filled with incompetent blacks.
2. It would only be a matter of time before some cretinous union leader said “If our demunds to management are not met to reinstate the two union members (dismissed for laziness and theft), we will trash the telescope array. Viva!”
3. There would be lots of money involved in constructing a telescope array. A magnet for corruption and theft.
4. A politically unstable country.
SA had not a chance for any rational decision. Rather Australia.