Astronomy event takes enthusiasts by storm
JOBURG - The Astronomical Society of Southern Africa (Assa) held its annual telescope and astronomical exhibition, ScopeX, at the Ditsong National Museum of Military History in Saxonwold recently.
ScopeX, a public outreach initiative, aims to promote an interest in astronomy, telescope making, astrophotography and all related spheres. The 12-hour show saw commercial- and amateur-built telescopes on display; international speakers dissecting relevant topics and science shows lined up to entertain and inform.
Liz Booth a librarian at Assa said the enthusiasm in astronomy and related fields was growing among the youth but it could do better. “There’s just that fascination and once you get involved you will even be able to watch as the sun moves on the horizon, it’s amazing,” said Booth.
“It would be lovely if more young people got involved.”
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, a science centre affiliated to the Gauteng Department of Education by supporting maths, science and technology education, was one of the many that sought to educate pupils in attendance through a flamed-up science show. The show, in line with this year’s theme, Chemistry of Light, entailed 11 demonstrations about natural light.
“My demonstrations are based on the theme,” said Andile Sikhakhane, Sci-Bono Discovery scientist also known as ‘Doctor Feel Good’.
“I’ll be focusing on many aspects. Talking about the temperature of the sun, the waves the sun emits and all things light.”
The 30-minute show kept pupils off their chairs and jaws dropped from the different experiments and the magic of Doctor Feel Good.
“I’m hoping to inspire the young people to fall in love with science and introduce them to the facts that they did not know,” concluded Sikhakhane.
