“The first-ever IAU General Assembly under the African sky, in Cape Town South Africa, marking a new chapter for Zimbabwean astronomy.”
Six Zimbabwe Astronomical Society (ZAS) members attended the 32nd International Astronomical Union (IAU) General Assembly, held in Cape Town, South Africa, from the 6th to the 15th of August 2024. As the first IAU General Assembly hosted on African soil, the event offered a valuable opportunity to engage in global astronomical discussions and present the Zimbabwean Astronomical Society’s plans for advancing astronomy in Zimbabwe.
Before the official start of the General Assembly, two ZAS members (Shingirai and myself) took part in the pre-conference hackathon, an event aimed at training early-career researchers through practical workshops. The hackathons were generously sponsored by the Theoretical Astrophysics Program at the University of Arizona (TAP), the Inter-University Institute for Data Intensive Astronomy (IDIA), and the IAU GA. They provided cloud-based computing resources and pre-installed software to facilitate data-intensive astronomical research.
Out of four hack options, our members participated in the ALeRCE Community Broker for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory hack, where they collaborated with experts to enhance tools that will be crucial once the Vera Rubin telescope begins its sky survey. The other hacks included:
- Black Hole Modelling and Imaging with EHT Data
- A First Taste of MESA: Stellar Astrophysics Experiments
- Magnetohydrodynamics with the PLUTO Code.
ZAS member Professor Shazrene Mohamed was part of the science organizing committee for the New Horizons at the Interface Between Computational Astrophysics and Big Data focus meeting which organised the hackathons, contributing her expertise in fostering innovation at the interface between computational astrophysics and big data.
Several ZAS members presented their research during the General Assembly, highlighting our involvement in international scientific dialogue. I had the opportunity to give a talk titled Automated Rapid Follow-up Observations and Taxonomic Characterization of Near-Earth Asteroids using the Robotic Lesedi Telescope at the Focus Meeting on Small-Body Science Using LSST and Other Survey-like Data. As well as a poster titled Assessing the Impact of OAD Funded Projects in the Office of Astronomy for Development institutional meeting poster session. It was an incredible experience presenting my work at this conference. I also learned a lot about asteroid research being done by all the other researchers from their fascinating talks, deepening my interest in this field.
Mr. Jason Shingirai Makechemu gave a talk titled Deep-learning Classifications of Galaxy Morphologies in Large JWST Surveys at the All-Inclusive AGN Symposium.
In addition to talks, our members also showcased posters:
Ashley Nyamandi: Review of Astronomy and Space Science Developments in Zambia during Poster Session Division C-3 on Education, Outreach, and Heritage.
Mr. Munashe Manyevere: Investigating the Applicability of Massive Photon Theory to Galactic Rotation Curves and its Implications for Dark Matter at the Focus Meeting on Measures of Luminous and Dark Matter in Galaxies Across Time.
Professor Golden Gadzirayi Nyambuya: A Plausible Solution to the Hubble Tension via Cosmologically Varying Fundamental Natural Constants during Poster Session Division J-2: Galaxies and Cosmology.
These presentations provided valuable feedback on our work and allowed us to share information about ZAS and explore potential collaborations.
Several ZAS members participated in the outreach programs held during the General Assembly. These programs, designed to engage the local community, involved visits to schools and public demonstrations, aiming to spark interest in astronomy among Cape Town’s youth. For many of our members, the opportunity to inspire young students was one of the most rewarding experiences of the conference. Ashley reflects on the conference below:
My trip to Cape Town for the IAU General Assembly was truly unforgettable! As a first-time attendee, I was thrilled to dive into the world’s largest gathering of astronomers, especially as one of only six representatives from Zimbabwe. What made this experience even more significant was that it was the first IAU GA held on African soil, marking a major milestone for the continent. Beyond attending talks by Nobel Prize winners and renowned experts, I had the privilege of volunteering in outreach activities, inspiring students to reach for the stars. Presenting my poster on the developments in astronomy and space science in Zambia was another highlight. The networking opportunities were incredible, and I left feeling that astronomy has the potential to drive development in Africa. The IAU GA truly lived up to its reputation as the ultimate astronomy experience, and I’m convinced that the stars are within our reach—literally and figuratively! It’s time for Africa!
The conference wasn’t all about research and presentations—there were also moments of celebration. The cultural evening was a vibrant display of the diversity present at the General Assembly, with traditional performances, and attires from all over the world.
Later in the week, the Gala dinner provided a formal opportunity to unwind, reflect on the conference, and celebrate the accomplishments of the astronomical community. It was an evening of fine dining, and music, featuring a diverse selection of cuisine from around the world, with peanut soup being a particular favourite among many of us.
The 9th of August marked Women’s Day in South Africa, and the IAU celebrated with the Women in Astronomy Lunch and Mentorship Session. This event provided a valuable platform for women in the field to share their career challenges while highlighting the importance of advancing science and astronomy through diversity and inclusivity. Speakers like Mirjana Pović and Priscilla Muheki from the African Network of Women in Astronomy (AfNWA) shared the network’s activities, emphasizing the vital role of mentorship, one of the organization’s key pillars.
In a special highlight of the day, AfNWA launched an inspiring storytelling book featuring professional female astronomers from across Africa. This beautifully designed book aims to give visibility to women astronomers, spotlighting their research and life stories. It aims to showcase the incredible work of African women in astronomy and empower young people and society at large through their journeys. Among the many remarkable women featured in the book is Thobekile Ngwane, president of the Zimbabwe Astronomical Society (ZAS).
There was also a live talk with Astronaut Sunita Williams on board the International Space Station (ISS). The event also featured an inspiring talk and Q&A session with NASA astronaut Mae Jemison who was the first African-American woman astronaut and the first African-American woman in space, where she shared her experiences as a pioneer in space exploration. There was also an inspiring talk from Dr. Sian “Leo” Proctor who was the mission pilot for SpaceX Inspiration4, the first all-civilian orbital mission!
Shingirai, who presented on deep-learning classifications of galaxy morphologies, was interviewed by The Cosmic Savannah podcast during the General Assembly. Hosted by Dr Jacinta Delhaize, Dr Daniel Cunnama, and Dr Tshiamiso Makwela, the podcast featured a conversation about the mission of the Zimbabwe Astronomical Society, its upcoming launch event, and Shingirai’s ongoing PhD research on Compton thick AGN in JWST surveys. His appearance on the podcast was a proud moment for ZAS, as it allowed our society to reach an even wider audience.
During the General Assembly, Thobekile and Shingirai were also interviewed by Radio Astro, where they discussed their ongoing work, the mission of ZAS, and the exciting future of astronomy in Africa. The interview touched on the society’s initiatives to develop astronomy in Zimbabwe and collaborate with the broader African region.
In addition to media engagements, ZAS met with potential collaborators from various countries, including the Mozambican Astronomical Society (AMAS). These discussions opened up exciting possibilities for future partnerships, which we are all very excited about.
As we look ahead, the next IAU General Assembly will be held in Rome, Italy, and we are already planning for a greater presence from the Zimbabwe Astronomical Society. Building on the momentum from our experience in Cape Town, we aim to have more members representing ZAS. This will be an opportunity to strengthen the relationships we’ve begun to forge and to showcase the progress we’ve made. By the time we gather in Rome, we hope to have accomplished key milestones in our mission, setting the foundation for even more collaborative efforts in advancing Zimbabwean and African astronomy.
The IAU General Assembly was more than just a conference—it was an affirmation of the potential for growth in African astronomy and how a time for Zimbabwe to contribute has come. We return home with newfound knowledge, meaningful connections, and a renewed sense of purpose. We are eager to continue building on the momentum generated at the conference and look forward to pushing the boundaries of what is possible for Zimbabwean astronomy. Stay tuned for more to come!
