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42% of getS.E.T.go! readers think that the development of a 3D touch screen is a great idea and an exciting development for science. |
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17% are indifferent. |
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40% think it’s a waste of money and a gimmick. |
It is estimated that South Africa’s new Science & Technology Train, which is currently under development, will reach 14 000 learners each year.
Transnet Rail Engineering at Koedoespoort will complete the train’s renovations.
Amateur stargazers convene in Johannesburg
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Thandi Mdluli of SAASTA hands over a ScopeX Student Challenge prize to Jane Webb, a teacher at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, for inspiring her learners to enter their exhibits. On the right is the programme director of the event, Case Rijsdijk. |
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Winner of the Student Challenge, Montagu Thorne (aged 13) of Morningside Manor, with his self-made six-inch Dobsonian telescope. |
Have you ever considered building your own telescope? The best place to start might be ScopeX, an annual exposition that serves as a wonderful showcase for astronomy and telescopes built by members of the amateur astronomy community.
Hosted at the Military History Museum in Johannesburg in May this year, ScopeX is a public outreach initiative that promotes public interest in astronomy, telescope making, astrophotography and related activities in southern Africa.
Supported by the NRF and SAASTA since its inception in 2002, this annual event is organised by volunteers, mainly from the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA).
Besides focusing on amateur telescope building, ScopeX also covers a variety of astronomy-related activities to engage the public, including lectures by both local experts and from abroad, competitions, equipment and astrophotography exhibits and workshops - all of which is topped off by an evening “star party”. Throughout the year, outreach activities and initiatives continue by amateur astronomical special interest groups.
Thandi Mdluli of SAASTA, who handed over prizes at the ScopeX awards event, highlighted the new competition category for students, called the Student Challenge. The category was introduced this year and very short notice was given to schools to enter for the competition. The category was won by the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.
“This competition contributes much towards astronomy awareness, and I suspect that in future, many more students from both rural and township schools will participate,” said Mdluli.