FOREWORD FROM THE AMBASSADOR OF THE EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, MR CHEN XIAODONG.

COLLABORATION AND COOPERATION IS Key

This year marks the 16th anniversary of cooperation among BRICS countries. The five countries have, in spite of the COVID-19 disruptions, carried forward the development momentum of BRICS cooperation and scored new progress in many fields. The BRICS space agency leaders have just signed an agreement on the cooperation on BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation in August 2021.

This could help deal with the challenges of global climate change, major disasters and environmental protection faced by mankind. The Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) was also successfully launched this year, being the world’s second intergovernmental organisation dedicated to Radio Astronomy and contributing to building an ecosystem of science and technology involving fundamental research, computing, engineering, and skills for the next generation.

It is pleasant to witness that the first edition of the BRICS Astronomy Magazine will be released in 2022. I do hope this magazine could be a promising platform that can showcase the activities of the BRICS Astronomy working group. It not only can be of benefit for promoting the cooperation between BRICS member countries in the field of Astronomy, and enabling technologies through joint activities of government, universities, research institutions, and industry. But also it can be of benefit for developing astronomical sciences, generating new knowledge, training human capital, developing new technologies and applications, and improving public understanding of science.

Like President Xi Jinping noted during the 13th BRICS Summit, no matter what kind of difficulties we go through, BRICS cooperation will go far ahead on a steady and firm footing as long as we focus our ingenuity and energy on the same goal. BRICS countries should strengthen our cooperation in the spirit of mutual benefits. China looks forward to working with BRICS partners to deepen cooperation in all fields, forge a closer and more pragmatic partnership, address common challenges and create a better future.

Mr Chen Xiaodong

Ambassador of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of South Africa

THE INAUGURAL BRICS ASTRONOMYMagazine

TThe power of Astronomy today cannot be overstated. Without a doubt Astronomy is at the forefront of Science and Technology in an increasingly digitalised world. This area of speciality has the potential to answer fundamental questions on the origins of the universe and humanity’s place in it. It transcends boundaries that divide people, and speaks to all society. Astronomy also is a key driver of innovation and an important catalyst for scientific and technical development as well as empowering human capacity for the knowledge-based economy of the future.

At the very first BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting held in Cape Town, five priority areas were endorsed, to be led by the respective BRICS member countries. South Africa was tasked with leading the key sector of Astronomy under the BRICS Astronomy Working Group.

The mission of the BRICS Astronomy Working Group is to promote cooperation between BRICS member countries in the field of Astronomy and enabling technologies through joint activities of government, universities, research institutions, and industry, as relevant, in order to develop astronomical sciences, generate new knowledge, train human capital, develop new technologies and applications, and improve public understanding of science. The formation and implementation of cooperation activities across the groups follows the principles of voluntarism and openness, and each party participates at their own cost unless alternative sources of funding can be identified. The Department of Science and Innovation of South Africa acts as the Secretariat to the Astronomy Working Group, and is responsible for:

• Dissemination of information to the Astronomy Working Group using various media, including a website; • Organising annual meetings (providing a venue and meeting facilities, meeting agendas and relevant documents, coordinating experts), • Capturing and maintaining proceedings of the Working Group.

This publication will be produced to capture the progress, information and areas of interest among the BRICS countries focussing on Astronomy. We hope you enjoy this first edition of the publication as we look forward to producing more editions in the future.

Evans Manyonga

INSIDE

03. FOREWORD FROM THE MINISTER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION,

SCIENCE AND INNOVATION, DR BLADE NZIMANDE.

04. FOREWORD FROM THE AMBASSADOR OF THE EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC

OF CHINA IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, MR CHEN XIAODONG.

08. THE OLDEST SCIENCE IN THE WORLD: A WALK THROUGH TIME

The Universe and its mysteries have always puzzled mankind. Every day we discover another piece of this puzzle. We do not have all the pieces of the puzzle, so putting it together is proving difficult.

11.ASPECTS OF ASTRONOMY GADGETS

Stargazing gadgets that give you a rare view of the sky above.

16. 13TH BRICS SUMMIT: INDIA

On September 9, 2021, India hosted the 13th BRICS Summit, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the summit was streamed live.

20. ASTRONOMICAL INSTITUTIONS IN BRICS COUNTRIES

Do you want to study Astrophysics or Astronomy? How deeply fascinated are you by celestial bodies? Read on to find out the big story.

26. SETTING-UP A GLOBAL NETWORK OF TELESCOPES: BRICS INTELLIGENT TELESCOPE

AND DATA NETWORK

The Flagship Programme is a joint venture between BRICS countries that will initially use existing infrastructure in each country to build a network of telescopes, employing their respective strengths to explore and survey the cosmos.

30. DRIVING THE BITDN PROJECT THROUGH PASSION

Duduzile Kubheka is passionate about people and empowerment and development and aims to use her education and impact to inspire positive change in the education and the STI landscape.

32. SIDA TSOATSOAS PREMIERES AT THE IZIKO PLANETARIUM IN CAPE TOWN

The planetarium film Sida Tsoatsoas (Our Beginning) premiered at the Iziko Planetarium and Digital Dome in Cape Town.

36. THE RIO BRICS ASTRONOMY WORKSHOP AND WORKING GROUP MEETINGS

The 2019 Rio BRICS Astronomy Workshop and Workshop Group Meetings (BAWG) marked the fifth edition of the BAWG series, which happens annually since 2015.

42. BRICS REPORT ON ASTRONOMY AND IDEAS TO TAKE THE BRICS ASTRONOMY

FORWARD

46. LEADING FROM THE FRONT

BRICS Astronomy Magazine sat down with Scientist and Research Astronomer, David Buckley (SAAO, South Africa) who shared his story and thoughts on the Astronomy sector in SA and BRICS Countries.

1 Bridgeway, Century City, Cape Town, South Africa, 7441 Tel: +27 21 830 5240 | Email: nadine@bricsmag.com www.bricsmag.com

PUBLISHING EDITOR IN CHIEF

Evans Manyonga evans@reignmakers.co.za

CHAIRMAN

Madambi Rambuda

HEAD OF PARTNERSHIPS

Jason Muna

SUB-EDITOR

Amanda Rhyn

CREATIVE CONCEPT ART DIRECTOR

Annique Moonsamy

CONTRIBUTORS

Nadine Sims, Lusanda Tamesi, Evans Manyonga, Duduzile Kubheka, Ulisses Barres De Almeida, Bruno Vaz Castilho, Carlos Alexandre Wuensche, Muna Ado

PUBLISHED BY

Address: Tsiba House, 6 Spring Street, Woodstock, Cape Town Tel: +27 66 203 2927 | Email: evans@reignmakers.co.za www.reignmakers.co.za

DISCLAIMER

BRICS Astronomy magazine is produced by Science Stars (Pty) Ltd, A BRICS Astronomy Working Group partner. Copyright 2021 Science Stars (Pty) Ltd. All rights Reserved. No Part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or means, electronically or mechanically without prior permission.