Applications are invited from African nationals for scholarships in the fields of Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space and Planetary Science, Planetary Geology and Remote Sensing.

Dear all, 

 

I’d like to share two things with everyone.

 

The first is that our space mission, Mission237 #1, is in its design phase. This phase will end at the end of October 2025.

 

I’d like to invite everyone to join and invite your networks to join our WhatsApp community and participate. It is really exciting. 

Here is the URL: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DILmtTaNvwFIVVahfamBJZ

 

This is run by our non-profit NMD ASSOCIATION.

Here is the URL: https://npo.nanosatellitemissions.com/

 

Feel free to join and invite your network to become members of the non-profit. You can join directly on the website.

 

Here is the URL: https://npo.nanosatellitemissions.com/become-member. At the very least, becoming a member will contribute to our fund-raising efforts to achieve this historic leap forward for Africa.

 

The second is the masterclass I am running this weekend (Apologies for the short notice) on IDM-CIC, which is the tool used by the French space agency (CNES) to design satellites.

 

If you could, it would be great to share within your network with those whom you think might find value in it the way you did.

 

The format is simple: 

• 2 days (20^th and 21^st of September) intense with pre-recorded content and tutorials.
• 1 week (22^nd to 27^th of September) exchange on practical tasks within our WhatsApp community.

Here is the registration link: https://learning.nanosatellitemissions.com/en/course/course_1757506687142

 

Do not hesitate to contact me if you need any additional information.

Thanks so much for your support.

 

Kind regards, 

Ifriky

From Space to Solutions: Using Satellites and AI to Monitor Our Changing Planet

By Associate Professor Andrea Nascetti 

Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm

Abstract

Every day, satellites orbiting Earth capture an enormous stream of images and measurements that help us see how our planet is changing. Thanks to recent advances in artificial intelligence, we now have powerful tools to analyze and make sense of this “big data from space.” In this seminar, we will explore how these data are collected by modern satellite constellations. We will discuss how new AI models allow us to track urban growth, map disasters such as wildfires and floods, and monitor sensitive environments like glaciers and forests. Finally, we will show how combining satellite observations with AI not only reveals changes more clearly and quickly but also supports better decision-making processes.

Biography

Andrea Nascetti is an Associate Professor at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm. His research lies at the intersection of remote sensing and computer vision, focusing on developing novel methods for Earth observation and geospatial data analysis. He has worked extensively on applications ranging from urban monitoring and disaster mapping to glacier and forest carbon studies. Andrea also teaches courses in Remote Sensing and Geospatial AI and supervises PhD students. His work bridges cutting-edge data science with real-world environmental and societal challenges.

Botswana is set to take centre stage in Africa’s scientific community as it proudly hosts the African Astronomical Society (AfAS) Conference. Scheduled from the 23rd to the 27th of March 2026, the conference will take place in Kasane. This is a scenic town in the northern part of the country that serves as a gateway to the Chobe National Park, a home to one of the largest elephant populations in Africa. Moreover, Kasane is located along the Chobe River, near the Kazungula Quadripoint where the borders of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe converge. 

This landmark event will bring together leading astronomers, engineers, educators, and policy makers from across Africa and the world to engage in groundbreaking discussions that will shape the future of astronomy and space science on the continent. The AfAS Conference is more than just a gathering of experts—it is a platform for collaboration, innovation, and inspiration. Delegates will exchange knowledge on cutting-edge research, explore new technological opportunities, and foster partnerships that drive scientific progress. For Botswana, the conference represents an unparalleled opportunity to showcase its growing role in astronomy and innovation, with the country building its first radio astronomy observatory at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST).

Beyond science, the conference will also highlight how astronomy contributes to socio-economic growth, skills development, and education. Students and young professionals will have the chance to learn directly from world leaders in the field, while industries and policymakers will explore how investment in science and technology drives sustainable development.

By attending the AfAS 2026 Conference in Botswana, participants will not only be part of a vibrant scientific dialogue but also experience the warmth of Botswana’s culture, heritage, and hospitality. Beyond the conference halls, delegates can immerse themselves in the country’s fast-growing astro-tourism scene—combining stargazing under some of the clearest skies in the world with astrophotography experiences and sessions on indigenous astronomy knowledge. Botswana’s unique blend of science, nature, and adventure offers an experience unlike any other. Together, we will advance Africa’s place in global astronomy and inspire the next generation of innovators.

Join them in Botswana for AfAS 2026 where science, innovation, and opportunity will converge. 

For more information contact Dr Fahmi Mokhupuki, mokhupukif [at] biust [dot] ac [dot] bw.

Abstract 

Our understanding of the Universe has undergone a revolution over the past century, revealing a cosmos governed by dark energy, shaped by dark matter, and expanding ever faster. We are now at a stage where cosmology has transformed into a precision science. In this talk, I will introduce the key concepts and challenges of our standard model of cosmology. I will highlight recent insights from major experiments, including the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT), which has refined our view of the cosmic microwave background, and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), which is mapping the large-scale structure of the universe with unprecedented precision. Finally, we will reflect on the capabilities of experiments such as the Vera C. Rubin Observat

By: Dr Chandra Shekhar Saraf 

Affiliation: Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), 

South Korea

Presenter: Christian Ikechukwu Eze 

Affiliations: University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria and Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland 

Abstract: 

Massive stars occur mostly in binaries or multiples, with some hosting pulsating components. Just as the sound of a guitar is produced when its strings excite resonances in the guitar body at natural frequencies, the energy trapped within a star causes it to oscillate at its natural eigenfrequencies. These pulsations cause the outer layers of the star to vary in brightness as it expands and contracts. These rare systems, where massive stars both pulsate and orbit in eclipsing binaries, offer an unparalleled laboratory for probing the internal physics of high-mass stars. The combination of precise photometric and spectroscopic data from eclipses with asteroseismic signals gives new insights into stellar interiors, including core structure, rotational profiles, and mixing processes. Leveraging data from space-based missions such as Kepler and TESS, alongside ground-based campaigns, this seminar explores how the interplay between stellar pulsations and binary interactions enables precise constraints on fundamental stellar parameters and evolutionary pathways of massive stars. Join us as we decode the rhythmic pulses of the cosmos and uncover the hidden symphony within these extraordinary stellar duets.
 

Biography

Christian Ikechukwu Eze is a Nigerian astrophysicist and lecturer at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). He is also a doctoral researcher at the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center (CAMK) in Warsaw, Poland and currently on a three-month research visit (funded by Bekker NAWA fellowship programme) to the Institute of Astronomy, KU Leuven, Belgium. His doctoral research focuses on the asteroseismology of massive stars in eclipsing binaries, contributing to the OPUS research project funded by the Polish National Science Center (NCN). Eze's major research interests encompass asteroseismology, stellar variability and spectroscopy. He has published several articles in reputable journals and received outstanding academic awards. Beyond his academic pursuits, Eze has been actively involved in international collaborations. He served as a Consortium Board member and UNN Local Contact Person for the Pan African Planetary and Space Science Network (PAPSSN). Currently, he is a member of the consortium and the leader of Task 3.1 of Work Package 3 in the Focus on Africa Space Science and Technology for Future Development (FAST4Future). Eze is affiliated with professional organizations such as the African Astronomical Society (AfAS) and the Astronomical Society of Nigeria (ASN), reflecting his commitment to advancing astrophysical research and education.

On the Evolution of Eccentric Ellipsoidal Variables 

by Dr Piotr Kołaczek-Szymański 

University of Liège, Belgium 

Abstract 

Currently, we know that stellar binarity is a common phenomenon, particularly important for massive stars whose evolutionary tracks are predominantly affected by the presence of a (nearby) companion. Moreover, a significant fraction of binary systems at various stages of their evolution is characterized by eccentric orbits, either due to their relatively young age or eccentricity-pumping mechanisms. Hence, the close investigation of eccentric binary systems is crucial for the verification of various tidal interaction theories that greatly influence our predictions of the evolution of these objects. During the seminar, I will focus on eccentric ellipsoidal variables (EEVs), occasionally dubbed as "heartbeat stars"), tidally excited oscillations and their impact on the evolution of EEVs. Additionally, I will discuss other effects associated with the periastron passages that can mimic EEVs, such as massive systems with stellar wind collisions.