Author Archives: joy

The convergence of astronomy and anthropology illuminates humanity’s longstanding utilisation of the night sky as a cultural, spiritual, and practical guide. Through the discipline of archaeoastronomy, we gain insights into ancient structures such as Stonehenge, which exhibit alignments with celestial phenomena, underscoring the profound comprehension of the cosmos possessed by early civilisations. Ethnoastronomy delves into […]

In March, we hosted another engaging edition of the Full Moon Mashup series, featuring a thought-provoking presentation by Dr. Daniel Mokhohlane. Dr. Mokhohlane, who recently completed his PhD, shared his research on the societal impact of mega astronomy infrastructures—specifically the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA)—on rural communities in South […]

OAD remote fellow, Samyukta Manikumar will be giving a talk at the African Astronomical Society (AfAS) Conference and General Assembly 2025 titled “The Potential of Astrotourism in Africa”. Below is the abstract of the talk: Africa is home to some of the world’s most extraordinary stargazing destinations, thanks to its minimal light pollution, vast open […]

The OAD will be hosting a special session at the African Astronomical Society (AfAS) Conference and General Assembly 2025, taking place from March 23–28, 2025, hosted by the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Gauteng. The session is scheduled for March 24, from 16:30 to 18:00 UTC+2, and aims to be an engaging and impactful […]

Mega astronomy infrastructures, such as large telescopes and observatories, have a profound impact on rural development. The establishment of facilities like the South African Large Telescope (SALT) in Sutherland has led to job creation and the growth of local businesses, including guesthouses catering to astrotourism. This influx not only stimulates the local economy but also […]