UNAM, Bank Windhoek to host scientific event on Africa Millimetre Telescope
An envisaged scientific project on top of the Gamsberg Mountain intends to amplify the search for black holes in the universe. Despite the concept being merely a theoretical construct and only deductible from complex mathematical calculations of so-called singularities, it is so ingrained in the public mind through an endless stream of sci-fi movies that very few people realise the existence of a black hole has never been proven empirically.
Now a local financial institution has taken upon itself the task to change the paradigm, shifting the focus from hypothetical speculation to demonstrable science. Bank Windhoek, in conjunction with the University of Namibia and the Netherland’s Radboud University Nijmegen will host an informative world-wide research-based event themed ‘Building the Namibian Africa Millimetre Telescope: seeing the unseen’ on 27 March at the Windhoek High School at 17:30.
The gathering’s objective is to enlighten and educate the public on a ground-breaking Africa Millimetre Telescope (AMT) project – currently in its preliminary design phase – which has embarked on a mission to build a 15-metre-high single-dish radio telescope on top of the Gamsberg mountain.
Also known as Namibia’s Table Mountain, the site has been identified by international scientists as a perfect location due to its proximity, positioning, dry climate and a height of 2350 metres ASL, to capture first-of-a-kind high-resolution photographs of black holes in the universe.
Attendees can expect presentations from key representatives from UNAM and Radboud University Nijmegen. UNAM’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Kenneth Matengu, will expand on the importance of the Africa Millimetre Telescope (AMT) project to Namibia. AMT’s Lead Professor, Heino Falcke, from Radboud University Nijmegen, is expected to deliberate on black hole science as a subject matter.
Caption: Registration is essential and forms can be downloaded from the Bank Windhoek website at www.bankwindhoek.com.na. Attendance can only be confirmed once a completed registration form is received. For more information, contact Bronwyn Moody on email: [email protected] .
