Category Archives: astrotourism

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 […]

On the 14th of February, the OAD hosted its first Full Moon Mashup session for 2025. The session focused on shedding light on the often-overlooked importance of darkness, the OAD’s work leans heavily on the night sky and the perspective-altering wonders of our universe. From astrotourism to using astronomy for well-being, our projects rely on the […]