FAST4Future October Seminar
“Terrestrial field analogues for planetary research: some examples from the African continent”
Presenter: Prof. Fulvio Franchi
Affiliation of presenter: Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università di Bari – Aldo Moro (Italy)
Email of FAST4Future: info [at] cesst [dot] org Oct 22, 2024 10:00 AM Harare, Pretoria (CAT)
Join Zoom Meeting https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/66926213523?pwd=TaBmBHnNwPe7obdKWHBkUaSN4QrGqy.1
Meeting ID: 669 2621 3523
Passcode: 109735
Biography
After 9 years as Lecturer and Professor at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), I moved back to Italy where I am holding the position of Associate Professor at the Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università di Bari – Aldo Moro (Italy). I also have an Honorary Professorship at the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa). After my PhD in Earth Science studying the astrobiological potential of Devonian carbonate mounds in the Moroccan Sahara, I have pursued a career at the crossroad between planetary science and carbonate sedimentology with a clear interest for biogeochemical pathways and astrobiology. Ever since my PhD in 2009 all my projects were deeply rooted in Africa working toward the creation of a Planetary Science community. In the past 5 years I have been awarded, as Coordinator (P.I.), two EC-funded projects, the Pan African Planetary and Space Science Network (PAPSSN) and FAST4Future (Focus on Africa Space Science for Future Development). I have successfully participated in two NERC projects and led my institution into the Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure funded by INFRAIA under Horizon2020. I coordinate the planetary field analogue Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana as part of the Europlanet2024 Transnational Access and successfully organized more than 20 field trips in Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
FAST4Future Online Seminar via Microsoft Teams
Topic: Recent Developments in Blazar Unification
Presenter: Prof. F.C. Odo
Affiliation of presenter: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Nigeria
Email address of the presenter: finbarr [dot] odo [at] unn [dot] edu [dot] ng (finbarr[dot]odo[at]unn[dot]edu[dot]ng)
Moderator: Prof. Taye Demissie (University of Botswana)
Email of FAST4Future: info [at] cesst [dot] org (info[at]cesst[dot]org)
August 29, 2024, 15:00 CAT
Abstract
The distributions of observed γ-ray properties, as well as orientation parameters of a sample of Fermi-LAT AGNs were used to investigate the hypothesis that γ-NLS1 objects are beamed sources with γ-ray emitting axes inclined at close angles to the line of sight. Based on these parameters we investigate the relationship between γ-NLS1s and other subclasses of γ-ray emitting jetted AGNs. Results show that γ-NLS1s are more highly beamed than both FSRQs and BL Lacs with mean value of core-dominance parameter Rγ ~ 9507. γ-NLS1s and jetted Seyfert galaxies are continuous in distribution of the orientation parameter with average cone angles ϕm ~ 8o and 44o respectively. Furthermore, the spectral energy distribution of γ-NLS1 is comparable to those of FSRQs and BL Lacs suggestive that γ-NLS1s and blazars form a continuous spectral sequence. There is a significant anti-correlation (r ~ -0.9) between the γ-ray dominance (Dγ) and γ-ray luminosity. There is a strong dependence of Dγ on redshift (r ~ -0.7) suggestive that Dγ is more sensitive to environmental factors than intrinsic γ-ray luminosity. The results suggest that γ-NLS1s are highly beamed γ-ray sources whose de-beamed counterparts can be found among Seyfert galaxy populations.
Biography
Finbarr Chidi, Odo is a professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka He earned his B.Sc (Physics) in 1998, M. Sc (Astrophysics) in 2006 and PhD (Astrophysics) in 2012, with specialty in radio astronomy and cosmology. Between 2006 and 2008, Finbarr served as a lecturer at the Federal College of Technical Education, Umunze, Nigeria and later as a Research Fellow at National Centre for Energy Research and Development, Nsukka. In 2016, Prof. Odo joined University of Nigeria, Nsukka as a Senior Lecturer and rose to Professor in 2023. Finbarr is a regular instructor at the Pan-African Summer School for Emerging Astronomers and a member of the Consortium board of Africa off-Earth Network.
Microsoft Teams: Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 364 352 358 93
Passcode: MKNQg
https://teams.microsoft.com/v2/?meetingjoin=true
August 29, 2024, 15:00 CAT
The PhD is funded by the Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (the Italian Space Agency), and the title of the project is "The astrobiological potential of authigenic clays from hypersaline environments".
The deadline for applications is the 22nd of July 2024.
The call document can be found here: https://www.uniba.it/en/phd-courses/phd-1/40th-cycle/call-phd-selection-a-y-2024-2025/xl-ciclo?set_language=en
Below is an outline of the research activities and the qualifications required. Please do not hesitate to contact me in case you need more details.
PhD Scholarships for joint PhDs in Astrophysics for 2024/2025 Funded under the Joint Chair for Computational Astronomy at Stellenbosch University, South Africa and the University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
DEADLINE: 7th August 2024
Criteria We seek excellent students with a strong background in (astro)physical, engineering, or computer sciences, depending on the specific projects, who desire to obtain a Joint-PhD degree from a top-ranked European and a top-ranked South African university. To be eligible to apply, a candidate must hold a Master's or equivalent degree in Physics, Astronomy, Engineering, or Computer Science by the starting date of the enrolment (1 January – 31 March 2025). Previous research experience and skills will be important criteria for selection. English is the common language spoken at both institutes, and proficiency in English is a requirement for acceptance. For more details, see: UG Admission Criteria.
Submit your application here.
PhD SCHOLARSHIP VALUES and DURATION: Programme structure: The PhD students will be registered at both SU and UG. The students will defend their PhD thesis at the University of Groningen and obtain a JointPhD degree from both universities. All PhD positions are fully funded for four years at the level appropriate for their stays in South Africa (~3 years) and the Netherlands (~1 year). Stipend: In accordance with the regulations while resident at Stellenbosch University and while resident at the University of Groningen. The scholarship value is R200,000 per year for four consecutive years. During the visiting period at UG (6-12 months), the student will receive an additional monthly top-up to align with the local standard for PhD students in the Netherlands. Degree: Students will be registered at the graduate schools of both universities. They will defend their PhD thesis at Groningen University and receive a joint degree from Groningen University and Stellenbosch University. Travel: Students will be encouraged and supported to present and participate in national and international conferences Publication: Candidates are expected to publish at least two peer-review journal papers by the end of their studies. Application deadline and Selection process Publication Start Date: 17 June 2024 Application Deadline: 7 August 2024 (at midnight (23:59 SAST/CEST)). Short-listing of candidates will continue until all positions are filled. Interviews of shortlisted candidates are expected to start by 26 August 2024. Final acceptance of the candidates will be completed by early October 2024.
The High Energy Astrophysics in Southern Africa 2024 (HEA
SA 2024) conference will be proudly hosted by the School of Physics, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) at the Wits Rural Facility from October 2nd to October 4th, 2024.
After the successful tenth conference in the annual series, High Energy Astrophysics in Southern Africa 2023 (HEASA 2023) held in Mtunzini, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, the eleventh conference, HEASA 2024, will continue its mission of uniting scientists from the Southern African region, the African continent, and around the world who share an interest in high-energy astrophysical phenomena.
The topics to be discussed at HEASA 2024 include theoretical aspects, multi-wavelength observations, and multi-messenger studies of astrophysical sources. These sources encompass a wide range, such as active galactic nuclei (AGNs), galaxy systems, gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), X-ray/gamma-ray binaries, supernovae and supernova remnants, neutron stars, pulsars, pulsar wind nebulae, and cataclysmic variables (CVs). Additionally, the conference will explore modern aspects of Astro-particle physics. More information can be accessed from: https://indico.cern.ch/event/1418852/overview
This course, by Prof. Fulvio Franchi, will provide the students with the basic knowledge of planetary geology with particular focus on celestial bodies that are currently under the spotlight because of ongoing and future missions, i.e. Mars and Enceladus. The course is divided in 10 hours of lectures (online) and 6 hours of laboratory activity (only for physical attendees). During the lectures the students will acquire knowledge on the geology and geomorphology of Mars and they will enter the fascinating world of planetary exploration, discussing of past, ongoing and future missions.
In a significant development, Professor Christer Fuglesang, a distinguished Swedish and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut, is scheduled to embark on a tour of South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia in the first week of October. This event is part of the activities of the European Commission funded project called FAST4Future.
During his visit, Professor Fuglesang plans to hold crucial meetings with government officials and university leaders to discuss ways to elevate the role of space science in Africa's future development. These discussions are expected to pave the way for collaborative efforts aimed at harnessing the potential of space technology for the continent's advancement.
In addition to these high-level engagements, Professor Fuglesang will grace the public with his insights and experiences through public lectures.
It is to be recalled that, during the STS-116 mission, Prof. Fuglesang conducted three spacewalks alongside Astronaut Robert Curbeam. Their tasks included installing the P5 truss segment during the first spacewalk on December 12, 2006. The second spacewalk, on December 14th, focused on rewiring the ISS's power system channels 2 and 3. Additionally, an extra spacewalk on December 18th successfully resolved a solar panel retraction issue. In total, Prof. Fuglesang spent an extra spacewalk (EVA; time an astronaut gets out of a vehicle while in space) of 18 hours and 15 minutes conducting spacewalks during the STS-116 mission.
Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting visit and the potential impact it could have on Africa's space science landscape!
Contact us via info(at)cesst.org for further details and media coverage.