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13 May 2022 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Leonie Bolleurs
Astrophysics
The Astrophysics Research Group in the UFS Department of Physics recently collaborated with the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA) in Spain and the University College of Dublin (UCD) in Ireland, to install a robotic telescope at the Boyden Observatory. Pictured here, are from the bottom, Teboho Rakotsoana and Simon Rakotsoana from the UFS; Emilio J Garcia from the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia; Prof Pieter Meintjes; and Prof Antonio M Carrillo from UCD.

The Astrophysics Research Group in the Department of Physics at the University of the Free State (UFS) is part of an international collaboration with the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA) in Spain and the University College of Dublin (UCD) in Ireland, which focuses on measuring the brightness of transient sources. Knowledge gained from studying these cosmic X-ray sources, which seem to appear in the sky for a short time before disappearing, will lead to a more complete and better understanding of the universe, believes Prof Pieter Meintjes, Professor of Physics and Head of the Astrophysics Programme in the Department of Physics.

To facilitate these observations, a robotic telescope network has been established, with the Boyden Observatory selected as one of the sites for BOOTES 6 (a Burst Observer and Optical Transient Exploring System).

The UFS and the IAA started working on this project more than two years ago. The foundation and pier were built through a local tender, and in January 2020, part of the dome of the structure housing the telescope arrived by ship. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there were some delays, resulting in the crew from Spain only arriving in South Africa with the telescope and hardware in November 2021, but having to return to their country without completing the installation. They returned in April, and in early May completed assembling the telescope in collaboration with UFS researchers and technicians.

Robotic telescope opportunity to further own research

The main scientific objective of the robotic telescope is to observe and monitor the optic counterparts of gamma-ray bursts as quickly as possible when detected from space or other ground-based observatories.

Prof Meintjes says they will use the telescope to observe these transient sources that goes into an eruptive phase for a short span of time. “Since BOOTES has an enormously fast slew rate, it can start observations of erupting sources within a few seconds, which allows the Astrophysics Research Group to get data very quickly. This will certainly give us an edge over other international astronomy groups that are also involved in the same type of research,” says Prof Meintjes, the local coordinator of the project who is overseeing the whole operation locally. 

He explains the importance of monitoring these packets of enormous energy. “By observing the optical afterglow of the gamma-ray bursts, we can establish its point of origin in space. Furthermore, the shape of the optical afterglow light curve gives insight into the type of mechanism behind the gamma-ray burst, i.e., whether the burst is produced by a collision between two neutron stars or by the explosion of a hypernova event.” 

The knowledge gained with research made possible by the robotic telescope will lead to a more complete and better understanding of the universe. – Prof Peter Meintjes

The UFS Astrophysics Research Group, with its research focus on high-energy astronomy and the physics behind gamma-ray bursts, has a particular interest in this project. As the local custodians of the project and in terms of a memorandum of understanding, the group is guaranteed a certain amount of telescope time for its own in-house observation programmes.

Project expands UFS’ international research footprint

Besides the opportunity for knowledge exchange, this project establishes Bloemfontein as a region where research of international quality is being done and will help to attract talented learners to the UFS. “The successful operation of the robotic telescope may also draw more international groups to bring robotic telescopes to Boyden, thus expanding our international research footprint,” he adds. 

The fact that the Boyden Observatory is in the Southern Hemisphere and has access to the galactic centre region with its host of very interesting astronomical objects and the Magellanic Clouds, makes it a very attractive site for astronomical research,” says Prof Meintjes. 

(Dr Pat van Heerden from the UFS Department of Physics. Photo: Supplied)

“We also have a number of years of experience in robotic telescopes in the sense that we have been hosting the Watcher telescope, operated by the University College Dublin in Ireland, since 2001. Once mounted in middle May 2022, this will then be Boyden’s second robotic telescope.”

News Archive

Kovsies foster closer ties with Asian universities
2012-03-19

 

The UFS’s exhibition at the second International Seminar and QS MasterClass on Internationalisation of Higher Education (iQS) in Thailand.
19 March 2012


We increased our stature in Asia by presenting the International Seminar and QS MasterClass on Internationalisation of Higher Education (iQS) in Thailand in cooperation with four universities from the region.

The UFS presented the seminar together with Mahasarakham University of Thailand, Guangxi University for Nationalities in China, Universiti Teknologi Malayisiaand the University of the Philippines Diliman. The UFS’s involvement in the seminar is the result of a cooperation agreement that was signed with Mahasarakham University, the host of the seminar. The UFS is the first university in Africa that has a cooperation agreement with Mahasarakham.
 
Prof. Driekie Hay, Vice-Rector: Academic, and Prof. Annette Wilkinson, Professor-Researcher at the Centre for Teaching and Learning, represented the UFS. They ensured that delegates to the seminar were aware of what was happening at Kovsies. Prof. Hay took part in a panel discussion. She also delivered a paper in which she looked at the implications of internationalisation on curricula. The UFS also had an exhibition at the event.
 
Prof. Wilkinson said the seminar offers universities in that part of the world the opportunity to improve their position internationally by exchanging knowledge and ideas. She said the approximately 130 delegates showed considerable interest in the UFS.
“A number of Mahasarakham University’s lecturers and management, as well as some of the other delegates, expressed an interest in visiting the UFS and in fostering closer ties.”

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