Project description

Within the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, the UFS, together with its partners, is responsible for the two observatories project, namely the Lamont-Hussey Observatory (now the Naval Hill Planetarium) and the Boyden Observatory. Framed within the realm of community engagement projects, the two observatories are designed to educate and inform citizens about the natural sciences.

Many people, including a vast number of school learners, visit the Naval Hill Planetarium, which is located in the centre of the city, with a follow-up visit to the Boyden Observatory. The observatories are also important for the display and communication of South African astronomical heritage.

Boyden is an ideal venue for small conferences, workshops, and public evenings, often including lectures by visiting academics who attract a loyal and knowledgeable following. The planetarium offers a large hall adjacent to the facility. The venue is attractive for concerts, corporate events, and larger functions.

This project consists of a wide range of activities such as public shows, lectures, stargazing, astrophysics research, preservation of historical artefacts and documents, and environmental education.

The two observatory projects of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Boyden Observatory and the Naval Hill Planetarium, work in synergy to educate and inform citizens about the natural sciences.

Project content

There are four key focus areas, which are:

• science communication and education
  
• research
• astronomy heritage
• the environment.

These focus areas consist of a wide range of activities such as public shows, lectures, stargazing, media coverage, workshops, service-learning, astrophysics research, preservation of historical artefacts and documents, and environmental education.