SARAO hosts successful two-week DARA Training Programme at Hartebeesthoek

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) recently hosted the Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) Training Programme, held from 8-22 February 2025 at the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO).

This intensive two-week programme brought together more than 18 undergraduate and postgraduate students from historically disadvantaged institutions across the Southern African Development Community region. It equipped them with foundational skills in radio astronomy and facilitated Africa’s growing role in global astronomical research.

Led by Prof. Roelf Botha, Manager: Geodesy at SARAO, Extraordinary Senior Lecturer Centre for Space Research at North-West University and Industrial Professor at the Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences at the Tshwane University of Technology, the workshop highlighted synergies between radio astronomy and space science, inspiring students to explore interdisciplinary career paths. Botha also gave an overview and general background of work done at the SARAO Hartebeesthoek site.

Dr Thomas Scragg from the University of Leeds, UK, presented a Summary of variables in the Radiometer Equation with regards to observational requirements (simplified) plus adaptation for pulsar observations.

Some of the core topics covered included radio astronomy fundamentals focusing on antenna calibration, pulsar science and Very Long Baseline Interferometry; technical skills for GNSS data processing with GAMIT/GLOBK, spectral line reduction, and Linux system setup; while the practical sessions included cryogenic receiver testing in SARAO’s microwave workshops, data collection using the 26m radio telescope; and radio frequency interference mitigation experiments.

A standout session included a MeerKAT Pulsar Update by Prof. Ben Stappers from the University of Manchester, delivered online to a global audience.

The curriculum blended lectures, hands-on workshops and site visits, including a special tour of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA). During the SANSA visit, students were inducted into the agency’s flagship programmes and instruments, such as satellite tracking and space operations providing insights into SANSA’s role in satellite communication and space situational awareness, space weather monitoring including demonstrations of instruments used to study solar activity and its impact on Earth’s systems; and geodetic infrastructure providing an overview of SANSA’s contributions to Africa’s geospatial data networks.

Participants praised the programme’s balance of theory, practice, and industry exposure. Joicelino Nhabetse, an undergraduate Physics student from the Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique, remarked: “The SANSA tour was eye-opening! Seeing how space science integrates with radio astronomy deepened my understanding of Africa’s role in global research.”

Vhuthu Tshilengo, an MSc Physics (Radio Astronomy) student at the University of Venda in South Africa, added: “Calibrating the 26m dish and processing real telescope data were career-defining moments. This programme has armed me with skills that I will use for years.”

Sibonelo Voyi, an MSc Chemical Engineering student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, loves radio astronomy and will continue to explore and research it. He enjoyed Dr. Scragg’s presentation on pulsars.

Siyanda Hlathi, a PhD candidate in Space Physics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, mentioned that although his background is in Physics, he has gained many insights into radio astronomy and the formation of galaxies.

Eucrência Moniz, a Meteorology student from the Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique, highlighted the value of technical skills gained: “I learned more about Python, and I’m using Python to do some maps in my final project. I think it will help me to improve that.” She highly recommended the DARA training and encouraged others to look out for future workshops.

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