Department of Astronomy, University of Cape Town

UCT radio astronomy scores large chunk of MeerKAT observation time

Gravitas: Dr Benne Holwerda, Prof Erwin de Blok, Dr Sarah Blyth, Prof Patrick Woudt and Dr Kurt van der Heyden.

Four UCT Astrophysics, Cosmology and Gravity Research Centre (ACGC) Key Science proposals are among ten successful bids for the 43 000 hours of observing time allocated to radio astronomers from Africa and around the world on South Africa's MeerKAT telescope.

Astrophysics class medalists of 2009

The Astronomy Department congratulates the Astrophysics class medalists of 2009 (from left to right):

Andrew Ward (AST3002F), Mpati Ramatsoku (AST3003S), Sandi Smart (AST2002S), Sasha Moola (AST1000F), Jaco Conradie (AST4007W; NASSP Honours)

Pictures from Mont Fleur ACGC Research Workshop

http://www.ast.uct.ac.za/image/main.php?g2_itemId=892

Astronomy Department's Distinguished Emeritus Professor Brian Warner receives Honorary Degree from the University of Cape Town

http://www.uct.ac.za/dailynews/?id=7211

Departmental Profile

The Department of Astronomy at the University of Cape Town is the largest university-based astronomy group in the country and has strong ties (and joint positions) with the South African Astronomical Observatory and the South African Square Kilometre Array office. The department primarily comprises observational (optical, near-infrared and radio) astronomers, with international leaders in the fields of large-scale structure of galaxies, dark matter in galaxies, low surface brightness galaxies, the uncovering of galaxies hidden by the Milky Way, the extra-galactic distance scale, and cataclysmic variable stars. The department is also closely associated with a number of other groups within various UCT departments, such as the cosmology group of the applied mathematics department, the astro-particle group of the physics department, and members of the electrical engineering department who are involved in space science and radio telescope technology development.