Name: 2026 African Astronomical Society Conference
Start: 2026-03-20T08:30:00+02:00
End: 2026-03-27T17:00:00+02:00
Location: Wild View Resorts

Monday, 23 March 2026

08:00 Conference Registration
Conference Registration
08:00 - 09:00

09:00 Opening Ceremony 1
Opening Ceremony 1
09:00 - 10:30

10:30 Morning Tea
Morning Tea
10:30 - 11:00

11:00 Opening Ceremony 2
Opening Ceremony 2
11:00 - 13:00

13:00 Lunch
Lunch
13:00 - 14:00
14:00 Plenary 1
Plenary 1
14:00 - 15:30
Contributions

14:00 Dark Energy with HIRAX 21cm Intensity Mapping - Kavilan Moodley (University of KwaZulu-Natal)

14:30 The Southern African Large Telescope (SALT): Observing Opportunities and a Science Case - Brian Chaboyer (Dartmouth College and SALT)

15:00 Astronomy engagement in Africa: A continental landscape analysis - Duduzile Kubheka (SAAO)
15:30 Afternoon Tea
Afternoon Tea
15:30 - 16:00
16:00 Science Communication Challenges & Impact Evaluation
Science Communication Challenges & Impact Evaluation
16:00 - 17:30
Contributions

16:00 Challenges of science Communication in Africa - Prospery C Simpemba (Copperbelt University)

16:30 Strengthening STEM Pathways Through Astronomy Outreach: Insights from Zambia’s Community-Based Engagement Initiatives - Godson ABBEY (Copperbelt University Zambia)

16:45 A story of two large scale projects in India - impact and learnings - Niruj Mohan Ramanujam (Indian Institute of Astrophysics)

17:00 Communicating Astronomy in Underserved Nigerian Communities: The Adventure Thus Far - Timothy Egbuim (Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy (National Space Research and Development Agency), Nigeria)

17:15 The Impact of Stargazing Events on Students’ Interest in STEM in Ethiopia - Nebiyu Mohammed (Ethiopian Space Science Society)
Astro-Lab
Astro-Lab
16:00 - 17:30
1 Cosmology
1 Cosmology
16:00 - 17:30
Contributions

16:00 Have we found all “Missing baryons” in the cosmic web? - Yin-Zhe Ma (Stellenbosch University)

16:15 Testing models for dark matter with extremely high angular resolution imaging of galaxy-scale gravitational lenses - John McKean (University of Pretoria)

16:30 Propagation of solitons in an obliquely magnetized e-p-i plasma with non-thermal electron and positrons - Lukiya Nazziwa (Mbarara University of Science and Technology)

16:45 New Insights on Interacting Dark Energy from DESI DR2 and Pantheon+ - Marcel van der Westhuizen (North-West University)

17:00 Investigating the imprint of quintessence in cosmic magnification - Enas Mohamed (Botswana International University of Science and Technology)

17:15 Observations of cosmic reionization with the 21 cm line - Gianni Bernardi (INAF-IRA)
17:30 Poster 1
Poster 1
17:30 - 18:00

18:00 Astro-Lab
Astro-Lab
18:00 - 19:30

SKAO
SKAO
18:00 - 19:30
Tuesday, 24 March 2026
09:00 Plenary 2
Plenary 2
09:00 - 10:30
Contributions

09:00 Beyond the Hubs: A Strategic Manifesto for Inclusive Astronomy in Africa - Jamal Mimouni (CERIST & University of Constantine1, ALGERIA)

09:30 Measuring the Earliest Galaxy, Black Hole and Structure Formation in the Universe - Christopher Conselice (Manchester University, England (UK))

10:00 The Pan-African Citizen Science e-Laboratory Project - Joy Olayiwola (National Space Research and Development Agency)
10:30 Morning Tea
Morning Tea
10:30 - 11:00
11:00 Outreach across Africa I
Outreach across Africa I
11:00 - 12:30
Contributions

11:00 Understanding awe, joy, and wonder in planetaria and informal astronomy experiences. - Duduzile Kubheka (SAAO)

11:15 Mobile Planetarium-Based Astronomy Education and Outreach in Nigeria: Its STEM and Socio-cultural Importance - Timothy Egbuim (Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy (National Space Research and Development Agency), Nigeria)

11:30 Scaling Astronomy Outreach: The "Madagascar Sous les étoiles" Festival Model - Andoniaina Rajaonarivelo (Astronomical Observatory of Ecoles du Monde Madagascar)

11:45 Expanding Astronomy Outreach in Madagascar (2022–2025) - Deralaza Rafieferantsoa (University of Antananarivo)

12:00 From Stars to STEM: Using Astronomy to Promote Science Education in South Western Uganda - Priscilla Muheki (Mbarara University of Science and Technology)

12:15 From Grassroots to National Infrastructure: The ESSS Model for Space Sector Development - Kirubel Menberu Alemu (Ethiopian Space Science Society)
2 Instrumentation & Other
2 Instrumentation & Other
11:00 - 12:30
Contributions

11:00 TART Array Layout Optimization - Timothy Molteno (University of Otago)

11:15 Current and future Egyptian observatory facilities and science interests - Yosry Azzam (NRIAG)

11:30 Chasing Small Near-Earth Asteroids: Rapid Follow-Up and Taxonomic Classification - Thobekile Sandra Ngwane (Stellenbosch University and South African Astronomical Observatory)

11:45 Design and Characterization of a Microstrip Dual Band Switchable Filter on Multilayer Substrate - Leokadia Ndjuluwa (University of Namibia)

12:00 Detecting Radio Frequency Interference in MeerKLASS Single-Dish Data with the SSINS RFI Flagger - Tamera Kassie (SARAO, UWC)

12:15 Using the Astrophysics Source Code Library for Education and Research Credit - Alice Allen (Astrophysics Source Code Library / University of Maryland)
12:30 Poster 2
Poster 2
12:30 - 13:00

13:00 Lunch
Lunch
13:00 - 14:00
14:00 Outreach across Africa II
Outreach across Africa II
14:00 - 15:30
Contributions

14:00 Robotic Astronomy for an Inclusive Future: The Educational Mission of Oukaimeden Observatory - Abdelmajid Benhida (Cadi Ayyad University)

14:30 Building East-African Astronomical Capacity: The Sharing the Sky Programme — A Model for Sustainable Research Development - Pheneas Nkundabakura (University of Rwanda College of Education)

14:45 Revitalizing STEM Learning in Ethiopia: Cascade Astronomy Outreach Initiatives for Schools - Nebiyu Mohammed (Ethiopian Space Science Society)

15:00 Scaling Impact through the Cascade Outreach Model: Lessons from AWB Nigeria - Olayinka Fagbemiro (Nigerian Space Agency/AWB Nigeria)

15:15 Astronomy Outreach in Sudan: A Current Overview - Tamador Khalil Mansoor Aldowma (University of Johannesburg)
Astro-Lab
Astro-Lab
14:00 - 15:30
3 Galaxies I
3 Galaxies I
14:00 - 15:30
Contributions

14:00 Optical and near-UV spectroscopic properties of low-redshift jetted quasars in the main sequence context - Shimeles Mengistue (Jimma University)

14:15 Unveiling the HI Structure and Dynamics of ESO444-G084 and [KKS2000]23: Insights from MHONGOOSE - Brenda Namumba (IAA)

14:30 MIGHTEE: Discovery of a triple-double radio galaxy - Tombo Fitahiana Rarivoarinoro (University of Cape Town)

14:45 Tracing the Life Cycle of Radio Sources: First Results from the VLBI Lockman Hole Survey - Thephilus Matsepane (University of Pretoria and IDIA)

15:00 The Environment and Gas Interactions - Mpati Ramatsoku (Rhodes University)

15:15 The Puzzling Properties of a 260-kpc HI Disk Hidden Behind the Galactic Plane - Renée C. Kraan-Korteweg (University of Cape Town)
15:30 Afternoon Tea
Afternoon Tea
15:30 - 16:00
16:00 Skills Development & Africa's 4IR
Skills Development & Africa's 4IR
16:00 - 17:30
Contributions

16:00 Building Tomorrow’s Astronomers: A Circular Model for Lasting Impact in Data-Intensive Science - Sally Macfarlane (Inter-university Institute for Data Intensive Astronomy)

16:30 A Gateway to 4th Industrial Revolution via Human Capital Development - PAP2SN - Saul Paul Phiri (Copperbelt University)

16:45 Empowering Public Engagement in Astronomy Across Africa through Interactive Digital Platforms - Cassandra Mzola (SARAO)

17:00 From Astronomy to Earth Observation Innovation: AEOC as a Pan-African Engine for Science-to-Market Transformation - Nandi Mtethwa (RIIS)

17:15 Empowering Youth Through Robotics: An Africa–focused Outreach and Training Programme. - Chantel Mathison (SARAO)
Astro-Lab
Astro-Lab
16:00 - 17:30
4 Galaxies II
4 Galaxies II
16:00 - 17:30
Contributions

16:00 The Quasar Feedback Survey: Revealing the importance of sensitive radio imaging for AGN identification deeper into the radio-quiet regime - Ann Njeri (Newcastle University)

16:15 Multi-Frequency Millimetre Monitoring of 3C 279 with Metsähovi and ALMA, Prospects for the Africa Millimetre Telescope - Hiiko Katjaita (University of Namibia)

16:30 Testing the Merger - AGN - SFR Connection in Dynamically Close Galaxy Pairs - Josephine Chishala (Botswana International Universityof Science and Technology)

16:45 The Cosmic History of Galaxy Disk Evolution - Kartik Sheth (Aix Marseille Univ / UD / Empowered Earth Alliance / Singapore Space & Tech)

17:00 Effects of Observational Limitations on the Kinematic and Mass Modelling of NGC 45 - Yara Simango (University of Cape Town)

17:15 Environmental Dependency of Angular Momentum Content: Insights from Observations and Simulations - Amidou Sorgho (IAA-CSIC)
17:30 Poster 3
Poster 3
17:30 - 18:00
18:00 Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD)
Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD)
18:00 - 19:30
Contributions

18:00 Astronomy for Development in Africa: Impact, Collaboration, and Proposal Development - Charles Takalana (SAAO) Joyful Elma Mdhluli (Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD))
SALT
SALT
18:00 - 19:30
Contributions

18:00 SALT Proposal Tools in Action: A Practical Session - Danièl Groenewald (SAAO/SALT)
Wednesday, 25 March 2026
09:00 Plenary 3
Plenary 3
09:00 - 10:30
Contributions

09:00 Transient and Compact Objects: Multiwavelength observations of Cataclysmic Variables and related objects - Patrick Woudt (University of Cape Town, IDIA)

09:30 Five Years of EMEJA: Lessons Learned and a Scalable Model for Transforming Girls’ Education in Rural Africa. - Ann Njeri (Newcastle University)

10:00 Galaxy Clusters: Laboratories of Galaxy Evolution and our Cosmic Probes - Mirjana Povic (IAA-CSIC (Spain) and SSGI (Ethiopia))
10:30 Morning Tea
Morning Tea
10:30 - 11:00
11:00 Addressing Inequality / Indigenous Astronomy
Addressing Inequality / Indigenous Astronomy
11:00 - 12:30
Contributions

11:00 From Timbuktu to SKA: Who Owns the Astronomy Knowledge Africa Produces? - Rhea Koch (North West University)

11:15 Closing Astronomy Education Gaps for Girls in Ethiopia Through Inclusive School Outreach - Lidia Dinsa (Ethiopian Space Science Society)

11:30 Advanced Ethiopian Women in Physics and Astronomy Focus Group - Mehbuba Ahmed (Space Science and Geospatial Institute (SSGI))

11:45 Cultural Astronomy in Zambia: Insights from Different Tribes - Ariel Njobvu (Copperbelt University)

12:00 Egypt and the Sky: A Legacy of Archaeoastronomy - Ola Ali (Assistant Researcher at National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics)

12:15 Shared Skies of East and North Africa: Cultural Astronomy, Planetary Nomenclature, and Public Engagement in Ethiopia - Lealem Kinfe ALULA (Ethiopian Space Science Society)
5 Transients
5 Transients
11:00 - 12:30
Contributions

11:00 The Indian Pulsar Timing Array Data Release 2: Dataset Overview, Precision Timing, and New Astrophysical Insights - Debabrata Deb (Centre for Space Research, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa)

11:15 Stellar Occultation Measurements of Asteroids Using the 1.88-m Kottamia Telescope for Diameter and Shape Refinement - Ahmed Moursi (National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics(NRIAG))

11:30 Multiwavelength studies of X-ray binaries - Itumeleng Monageng (University of Cape Town/South African Astronomical Observatory)

11:45 Multi-Faceted Emission Properties of PSR J2129+4119 Observed with FAST - Habtamu Menberu Tedila (National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

12:00 A search for and modelling of persistent radio sources associated with Fast Radio Bursts. - Lebogang Mfulwane (Centre for Space Research, North-West University,)

12:15 MeerKAT radio pulsar discoveries in the Large Magellanic Cloud - Venu Prayag (University of Cape Town, TRAPUM)
12:30 Poster 4
Poster 4
12:30 - 13:00

13:00 Lunch
Lunch
13:00 - 14:00
14:00 EAS/AfAS Collaborative Session
EAS/AfAS Collaborative Session
14:00 - 15:30
Contributions

14:00 Africa-Europe collaborations: from ground-based telescopes to Space - Amare Abebe (North-West University) Nabila Aghanim
16:00 Boat Cruise
Boat Cruise
16:00 - 19:00
Thursday, 26 March 2026
09:00 Plenary 4
Plenary 4
09:00 - 10:30
Contributions

09:00 The IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach and the 100 Hours of Astronomy - Naomi Asabre Frimpong (IAU Office of Astronomy)

09:30 Star formation across scales - Observational clues of evolutionary phases - James Chibueze (University of South Africa)

10:00 Top-Down and Comprehensive approach to astronomy outreach - Matipon Tangmatitham (National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT))
10:30 Morning Tea
Morning Tea
10:30 - 11:00
11:00 Global Projects
Global Projects
11:00 - 12:30
Contributions

11:00 The OAD Flagships Ecosystem: Harnessing Astronomy for Inclusive Development in Africa and beyond - Joyful Elma Mdhluli (Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD))

11:30 BRICS Astronomy: Building Skills, Science, and Societal Impact in the Global South - Moleboge Lekoloane (NRF-South African Astronomical Observatory)

11:45 The Harambee Research Collective - Kartik Sheth (Aix Marseille Univ / UD / Empowered Earth Alliance / Singapore Space & Tech)

12:00 Creating an Enabling Policy Environment for African Astronomy to Support Global Collaboration - Declan Kirrane (ISC)

12:15 On the Moon Again: An International Framework for Public Engagement in Astronomy - Sylvain Bouley (Géosciences Paris saclay)
6 Galaxy Clusters
6 Galaxy Clusters
11:00 - 12:30
Contributions

11:00 Neutral Hydrogen, HI, in the Shapley Supercluster Core: Environmental Effects on Gas Content and Galaxy Evolution - Lwandile Gwebushe (Rhodes University)

11:15 Preparing for the SKA Era with Observation-Driven Mock Radio Halo Catalogues - Swarna Chatterjee (Rhodes University)

11:30 From Simba-C to Athena: Mock X-ray Elemental Abundances in Galaxy Groups and Clusters - Renier Hough (North-West University, South Africa)

11:45 The Sodium Challenge: New Insights into Disc Separation and Nucleosynthetic Yields - Evans Owusu (University of New South Wales, Australia)

12:00 New and known mini-halos in the MeerKAT Galaxy Clusters Legacy Survey (MGCLS) - Toivo Samuel Mabote (Rhodes University)

12:15 Comparative Analysis of Galaxies in the Fornax Main Cluster and Fornax A Subcluster - Nabeelah Adam (University of Cape Town)
12:30 Poster 5
Poster 5
12:30 - 13:00

13:00 Lunch
Lunch
13:00 - 14:00
14:00 Astronomy Education
Astronomy Education
14:00 - 15:30
Contributions

14:00 Astronomy Teacher Training in Northern Kenya - Goretti Biwott (Turkana Basin Institute)

14:30 Addressing Astronomical Misconceptions Through Targeted Teacher Training Workshops - Sivuyile Manxoyi (SAAO)

15:00 BLUEshift Africa: Accelerating Towards the Future of Undergraduate Astronomy Education in Africa - Linda Strubbe (Strubbe Educational Consulting)

15:15 Future Stars in Astronomy through School Astronomy Clubs. - Rashidi Mkwinda (Mount Meru Astronomical Observatory)
Astro-Lab
Astro-Lab
14:00 - 15:30
7 Stars and Star Formation I
7 Stars and Star Formation I
14:00 - 15:30
Contributions

14:00 Excited OH masers in star-forming regions - Derck Smits (University of South Africa)

14:15 LIGHT CURVE ANALYSIS OF A RECENTLY DISCOVERED ECLIPSING BINARY STAR: KAO-EGYPT J214258.21+440520.2

14:30 Modelling Convection and Its Effects in Stellar Pulsation - Thembeka Ntombela (University Of Zululand)

14:45 Probing Flare-Driven disc Chemistry with Chandra and JWST: A New Time-Domain Campaign in Orion - Valentin Brunn (Osservatorio di Arcetri / INAF)

15:00 High-resolution observational study of G345.50+0.35 massive star forming region - Barivure Love Popnwin (North West University)

15:15 Connecting star cluster formation and HI dynamics with HST and MeerKAT - Miora Rakototafika (UCT/SAAO)
15:30 Afternoon Tea
Afternoon Tea
15:30 - 16:00
16:00 Astrotourism & Community Development
Astrotourism & Community Development
16:00 - 17:30
Contributions

16:00 Astro-tourism as a Sustainable and Socioeconomic Development Strategy for the San Communities in Botswana - Keletso Bontle Dichaba (Rhodes University; Women in STEM-BW (WiS)) Tumo Fortunate Kedumele (Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Women in STEM-BW (WiS))

16:15 Assessing Night-Sky Brightness and Light-Pollution Trends in East African Urban Centres. - Franklyne Wakoli (Maasai Mara University, Kenya)

16:30 The Night Sky as a potential tourism resource for Namibia - Sisco Auala (Namibia University of Science and Technology)

16:45 A qualitative review of the HartRAO (SARAO) and SALT (SAAO) Visitor Centres’ benefits of being located at research facilities. - Jeremy Stuurman (NRF|SAAO & SALT) Simphiwe Madlanga (NRF|SARAO)

17:00 Dissonances and Synergies of mega astronomy infrastructure projects on development in rural Northern Cape, South Africa - Daniel Manama Mokhohlane (Department of Science, Technology and Innovation)

17:15 Hammanskraal Astronomy Outreach Program - Koketso MOPHAHLANE (Rhodes University)
Astro-Lab
Astro-Lab
16:00 - 17:30
8 Stars and Star Formation II
8 Stars and Star Formation II
16:00 - 17:30
Contributions

16:00 Chemical Abundances of Planetary Hosts: A Key to Decoding Planetary Formation Pathways - Ronald Ssembatya (Kyambogo university)

16:15 Noise-induced variability in helium burning nucleosynthesis: implications for stellar abundance distributions - Mohamed Nouh (National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics)

16:30 The periodic variability of 6.7 GHz methanol masers of massive protostars. - Elisep Mogapi (UNISA)

16:45 MeerKAT S-band observations of massive protostars with extended emission in the SARAO MeerKAT Galactic Plane Survey - Willice Obonyo

17:00 Investigating the role of the galactic environment in star formation with MHD simulations - Zoe Faes (University of St Andrews)

17:15 Magnetic fields determined by maser polarization in star-forming regions - Paul Fallon (Unisa)
17:30 Poster 6
Poster 6
17:30 - 18:00

18:00 Gala Dinner
Gala Dinner
18:00 - 21:00
Friday, 27 March 2026
09:00 African Science Journal
African Science Journal
09:00 - 10:30
Contributions

09:00 African Science Journal Special Session - Yin-Zhe Ma (Stellenbosch University)
10:30 Morning Tea
Morning Tea
10:30 - 11:00

11:00 AfAS Business Engagement
AfAS Business Engagement
11:00 - 13:00

13:00 Lunch
Lunch
13:00 - 14:00
14:00 Machine Learning & Techniques: Building Trustworthy Models for Scientific Discovery
Machine Learning & Techniques: Building Trustworthy Models for Scientific Discovery
14:00 - 14:30
Contributions

14:00 Machine Learning & Techniques: Building Trustworthy Models for Scientific Discovery - Nadeem Oozeer (SARAO)
14:30 Innovative Outreach & Citizen Science
Innovative Outreach & Citizen Science
14:30 - 16:00
Contributions

14:30 Connecting Classrooms to the Cosmos: Democratising Space Communication through the ARISS Contact Experience in Nigeria - Joy Olayiwola (National Space Research and Development Agency)

14:45 The ESSS Citizen Science Project: A Model for Capacity Building, Scientific Discovery, and Science Communication - Kirubel Menberu Alemu (Ethiopian Space Science Society)

15:00 Bridging Academic and Applied Astronomy: The Al-Azhar Global Center as a Model for Science Communication and Community Engagement in Africa - Ahmed Abdelbar (Alazher University- faculty of science- Al - azhar International center of astronomy and space science)

15:15 INCLUSIVE ASTRONOMY: On the Prisoner’s Reformation Programme in Nigeria - Chukwujekwu Ofodum (Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy, Nsukka Nigeria)

15:30 Nurturing Ethiopia’s Next Generation of Space Scientists: The Ethio Space Kids Club Experience - Meklit Wogayehu (Space Science Geospatial Institue)

15:45 Singing the Skies of Africa: The Making of the Go Africa Astronomers’ Anthem - Stephen Sottie (Rhodes University & SARAO & INAF)
9 Machine Learning and Techniques
9 Machine Learning and Techniques
14:30 - 16:00
Contributions

14:30 Using Machine Learning Algorithms to Extract Globular Clusters in Gaia DR3 - Nhlengani Junior Baloyi (University of South Africa)

14:45 Self-supervised representations for automated astronomical discoveries - Koketso Mohale (University of the Western Cape)

15:00 Machine Learning Classification of High-Energy GRB Counterparts using Fermi-GBM and LAT Data - Tamador Khalil Mansoor Aldowma (University of Johannesburg)

15:15 Machine Learning Based Prediction of Astronomical Seeing Using All-Sky Camera Images and Cloud Sensor Data - Slindile Nyide (SARAO)

15:30 OJALA: Optimizing J-PAS Astronomy for Large-scale Analysis, a foundation model for the SED of galaxies, QSO and stars - Ginés Martínez Solaeche (Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA-CSIC))

15:45 Exploring EnMAP Satellite Hyperspectral Data for Plant Pathogen Detection: A Proposed CNN-ViT Hybrid Deep Learning Framework - Irina Zlotnikova (Botswana International University of Science and Technology)