Speaker
Description
Namibia, renowned for its pristine night skies and minimal light pollution, has emerged as a significant hub for astronomical research. Hosting the first International Dark Sky Association (IDA) Dark Sky Reserve in Africa, the NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia boasts ideal conditions for astronomical observations. This work delves into measurements of night-sky brightness proximal to the world-leading High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.). Leveraging its arid climate, Namibia experiences a scarcity of rainfall, leading to an abundance of cloudless nights—a phenomenon conducive to extended observation hours for astronomical facilities like H.E.S.S. With this, Namibia’s skies offer vast opportunities for uninterrupted exploration of the Universe. Moreover, Namibia’s sparse population density, ranking as the third least densely populated country globally, further mitigates light pollution, enhancing its appeal for astronomical endeavors. In addition to the dark sky quality of the Namibian night sky and optimal weather conditions including favorable altitudes, recent studies on radio frequency interference (RFI) conducted at the two proposed sites (close to the H.E.S.S. site and on the Gamsberg) for the Africa Millimeter Telescope (AMT) showed that the two sites are relatively radio quiet with a few potential interference in intermediate frequency (IF) bands. Due to the low population density of the country, interference in most astronomical observational radio bands is unlikely due to low industrial and commercial utilization of these observation bands and the high free-space path loss. Building upon these advantageous conditions, Namibia is poised to pioneer the establishment of the world’s first multi-wavelength observatory. This ambitious endeavor envisions incorporating telescopes operating across a spectrum of wavelengths, including cm-wave and mm-wave radio, optical wavelengths, and gamma rays. The proposed Namibian Multi-Wavelength Observatory aims to consolidate the capabilities of existing facilities such as H.E.S.S. and the planned Africa Millimeter Telescope, thereby solidifying Namibia’s position as a front-runner in astronomical research and exploration.
