AMT mobile planetarium receives prestigious medal

The celestial wonders above are no longer distant for Namibians, thanks to the ground-breaking efforts of the African Millimeter Telescope (AMT) mobile planetarium project. In remarkable recognition of their dedication to astronomy education and public engagement, the team behind the project has been awarded the esteemed 2024 Annie Maunder Medal for Outreach by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS).

The AMT project, a collaborative endeavour involving Radboud University, the University of Namibia (Unam), the University of Amsterdam, Oxford University and the University of Turku, aims to establish the first millimeter-wave radio telescope on African soil in Namibia's Khomas Highlands. This telescope's mission includes expanding the capabilities of the Event Horizon Telescope network, renowned for capturing the ground-breaking image of a black hole in 2019.

At the forefront of the AMT collaboration's outreach initiatives is the mobile planetarium, now acclaimed by the RAS for its innovative approach to bringing immersive and interactive astronomy experiences to the Namibian public. The medal recognises the mobile planetarium's crucial role in addressing the lack of awareness and appreciation for astronomical research in Namibia.



Noticeable gap

Despite the country's breathtaking night skies, a noticeable gap existed in public understanding and interest in astronomy. The AMT mobile planetarium project emerged as a beacon, actively working to inspire and stimulate interest in "blue skies research" among Namibians.

Marc Klein Wolt, director of the AMT project, highlighted the impact of the mobile planetarium on reaching every corner of Namibia. Recognising the vast size of the country and the limited reach of traditional scientific outreach programmes, the team made their planetarium portable, fitting all equipment into the back of a car.

The goal was clear: To make the wonders of astronomy accessible to all Namibians, encouraging their participation and fostering a sense of ownership in the ground-breaking project.

The state-of-the-art technology employed by the mobile planetarium projects the night sky onto the inside of an inflatable dome. With a powerful projector and advanced planetarium software, audiences ranging from kindergarten children and university students to rural school children and heads of state can virtually "fly" through the universe, witnessing a myriad of astronomical phenomena.

The success of the project is attributed to the combined efforts of an energetic team comprising Unam students and staff, with technical support from Radboud University and the Dutch Research School for Astronomy (NOVA). Recently, Nedbank Namibia has joined the efforts with a generous N$450 000 donation.



Illuminating the path

In its inaugural year, the AMT mobile planetarium visited over 70 locations, conducting more than 400 planetarium shows that were attended by over 10 600 Namibians. The overwhelmingly positive response has led to increased local sponsorship, enabling the expansion of the team with new student presenters in 2024.

RAS, in its mission to support and encourage scientists in astronomy and geophysics, recognises outstanding research through awards, medals and prizes. The Annie Maunder Medal for Outreach, launched in 2016, commemorates the centenary of the admission of women to fellowship and honours pioneers like Annie Scott Dill Maunder, one of the first women to be made a fellow of RAS.

In the vast landscapes of Namibia, where the sky meets the earth in a symphony of stars, the AMT mobile planetarium project has become a shining constellation, illuminating the path to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the cosmos for all Namibians.