Rhodri Evans, University of Namibia, Namibia The Africa Millimetre Telescope – Observing the Galaxy’s central black hole Abstract: The Africa Millimetre Telescope (AMT) will be built on Mount Gamsberg in Namibia. the 15-metre dish will see first light by April 2024, and will form part of the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) network of millimetre telescopes which will use Very Long Baseline Interferometry to obtain the first ever images of our Galaxy’s central black hole. In addition, the AMT will spend approximately 80% of its time doing a number of other observing projects, operating in both single-dish mode and using interferometry with other dishes. In this talk I will show the important role a millimetre-wave telescope in Namibia will play in the EHT, as well as summarise the current observing projects we have chosen during the telescope’s first phase of operations.

Carla Sharpe, SARAO, RSA SARAO, AVN and the Africa Programme Abstract: In 2012 South Africa initiated the AVN programme with eight African Partner countries; Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia. The AVN programme aims to establish Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) capable radio telescopes in the SKA African partner countries through the conversion of redundant telecommunications antennas, new-build antennas or through the establishment of training facilities with training telescopes. Developing a network of VLBI capable radio telescopes on the African continent will allow for the transfer of knowledge and technology as well as the development of the necessary and transferable skills within participating countries. There have been a number of strategic partnerships and interventions in outreach and Human Capital Development. The Africa colocation plan was developed in response to the need for sustainability of the African Partner Country (APC) sites for the AVN network. The colocation plan allows for a collaboration between industry, government and academia to generate innovation, revenue and space sciences from one colocated site.

Fernando Camilo, SARAO, RSA MeerKAT Updates and Early Science Abstract: After more than a decade in the making, the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory’s MeerKAT radio telescope was inaugurated in July 2018 and is now being used for scientific observations. You might have already seen its iconic image of the Galactic Centre. Come and see several more early results, including one of the deepest radio images ever made, and a collection of wonderful and weird structures. I’ll summarize the current status of the telescope and plans for continued development, as well as opportunities to use it.

Sivuyile Manxoyi, SAAO, RSA Seasoning society with SALT: Reflections and lessons from the SALT Collateral Benefits Programme (SCBP) Abstract: The construction of the Southern African Large Telescope in Sutherland not only ushered Southern Africa into a new era of 10m class telescopes but introduced a new approach to communication of science and astronomy in particular with the public through the SALT Collateral benefits programme (SCBP). The SCBP seeks to communicate the relevance, beauty and power of astronomy by engaging various audiences which includes teachers, learners, post graduate students and communities (particularly the Sutherland community). This presentation will offer a brief description of the historical development of the SALT collateral benefits programme and its strategy, share successes and challenges, reflections and lessons for anyone interested in developing and implementing a science engagement programme.

Beza Tesfaye, SGAC, Ethiopia Space in Africa Abstracts: Space programmes in Africa, Education and Outreach

Jamal Mimouni, University of Constantine, Algeria The Micro & Macro Worlds Circa Early XXIst Century Abstracts: We present a broad perspective on our (early) XXIth century understanding of both the macro and micro worlds. Do we have a unified vision of the world at those extreme scales? What about the status of that «21 st century» theory «that fell accidentally into the 20th century” to quote E.Witten, and which is the cement of aspiring-to-be paradigms like Cosmic Inflation, Multiverses, black holes… as well as the inspiration of most pre-Big Bang theories. There is no question that the failure of theoretical astrophysics to solve these big puzzles left over from the past century is stemming from the limitations of particle physics as it stumbles on the «not high enough» energy limit of present day colliders, thus the great hope pinned on the UHE Cosmic Rays and Multimessenger astronomy for their capability to cross the many orders of magnitude energy gap. If physicists from Lord Kelvin to Hawking were thinking that physics might be brought to completion within their lifetime, we now have another brand who entertains the idea that physics built on unambiguous tested facts  is foregone and experiments can be simulated on computer.  We will discuss along the way, the fine tuning curse, the Cosmic Inflation and Multiverse Pandora’s box, and other big mysteries perhaps of our own making. Then propose that as to keep our sanity in the actual jungle of ideas, we be guided by the voice of reason which goes by the unpretentious name of plurivocity or under- determinacy of theories.

Sarah White, Rhodes University, RSA The brightest radio-sources in the southern sky Abstracts: Powerful radio-galaxies feature heavily in our understanding of galaxy evolution. However, when it comes to studying their properties as a function of redshift and/or environment, the most-detailed studies tend to be limited by small-number statistics. In this talk, I will present a compilation of ~2,000 of the ‘brightest’ radio-sources in the southern sky (Dec. < +30 deg). This is the GLEAM 4-Jy (G4Jy) Sample (White et al., 2020a, 2020b), the majority of which are active galactic nuclei (AGN) with powerful radio-jets. The sample is selected at low radio-frequencies (S_151MHz > 4 Jy), and 140 of the sources have been observed as part of Open Time on MeerKAT. The first aim is to identify the radio core (and subsequently the host galaxy), as existing radio images are of poor resolution. With over 10 times as many sources as the best-studied, low-frequency radio-source sample that is optically complete (the revised Third Cambridge Catalogue of Radio Sources; 3CRR), the G4Jy Sample will allow models of powerful AGN and feedback processes to be tested more robustly.

Itumeleng Monageng, UCT/SAAO A study of the outbursting behavior of the Be X-ray binary, SXP91.1 Abstract: Be X-ray binaries, which make up the largest subclass of the high mass X-ray binary systems, comprise a neutron star in an eccentric orbit around Be star companion with a geometrically thin Keplerian disc. The interaction of the neutron star with the Be disc results in accretion of matter leading to X-ray outbursts. The X-ray outbursts occur in two flavours: type I and type  II. The disc variability is traced through the variability of the emission lines in the optical spectra. In this talk I will present recent results of the outbursting Be X-ray binary, SXP91.1, which is located in the Small Magellanic Cloud. The data from the monitoring campaign of this object was obtained using the optical telescopes, SALT and OGLE, together with X-ray observations from Swift. I will show the analysis performed on these data, where we have studied the variability of the circumstellar disc and how it interacts with the neutron star. Be X-ray binaries, which make up the largest subclass of the high mass X-ray binary systems, comprise a neutron star in an eccentric orbit around Be star companion with a geometrically thin Keplerian disc. The interaction of the neutron star with the Be disc results in accretion of matter leading to X-ray outbursts. The X-ray outbursts occur in two flavours: type I and type  II. The disc variability is traced through the variability of the emission lines in the optical spectra. In this talk I will present recent results of the outbursting Be X-ray binary, SXP91.1, which is located in the Small Magellanic Cloud. The data from the monitoring campaign of this object was obtained using the optical telescopes, SALT and OGLE, together with X-ray observations from Swift. I will show the analysis performed on these data, where we have studied the variability of the circumstellar disc and how it interacts with the neutron star.

Naftali Kimani, Kenyatta University, Kenya The evolution of Radio supernova SN2008iz in M82 Galaxy Abstract: Radio-loud supernovae are rare events with just a few dozen detected. The majority of them are relatively distant or fairly weak, making them difficult to study in great detail. To date, the best known example is SN1993J in M81 galaxy which has been studied extensively due to its proximity (3.63Mpc), environment (which allows for multi-wavelength studies) and galaxy orientation (M81 is almost face-on). The discovery of SN2008iz in M82 galaxy offers the possibility to study another supernova at a very similar distance in great detail and to make a comparison to SN1993J. We report on multi-frequency VLA and VLBI radio observations for a monitoring campaign of supernova SN2008iz. The late-time radio light curve evolution shows flux-density flares at between 970 and 1400 days, which does not show signs of decline at least from results examined. The derived spectral index also shows no signs of evolution and remains steep ~−1 throughout the period, unlike that of SN1993J which started flattening at day 970. From the 4.8 and 8.4GHz VLBI images, the supernova  expansion is seen to start with shell like structure that gets more and more asymmetric, then breaks up in the later epochs with bright structures dominating the southern part of the ring, with an average expansion velocity between days 73 and 1400 of 12000km/s.

Vanessa McBride, IAU-OAD/UCT, RSA The neutron star populations of the Small Magellanic Cloud Abstract: This talk will link the radio pulsars population of Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) with the accreting X-ray pulsar population, using population synthesis models to predict what we might observe through future surveys of the SMC.

Elizabeth Naluminsa Kyambogo, Uganda HI Scaling Relations in WISE-WHISP Galaxies Abstract: We present the global scaling relations between the neutral hydrogen gas, the stellar disk and the star forming disk in a sample of 228 nearby galaxies that are both spatially and spectrally resolved. We have used HI data from the Westerbork survey of HI in Irregular and Spiral galaxies (WHISP) and Near Infrared (3.4 μm, 11.6 μm) data from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) survey, combining two datasets that are well-suited to such a study in terms of uniformity, resolution and sensitivity. We utilize a novel method of deriving scaling relations for quantities enclosed within the stellar disk rather than integrated over the entire HI disk. We also present new HI intensity maps for the WHISP survey derived using a robust noise rejection technique along with corresponding velocity fields.

Lina Canas, IAU OAO, Japan The IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach: Building Bridges Through International Cooperation (invited) Abstract: The goal of the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach (OAO) is to engage the public in astronomy through access to astronomical information and communication of the science of astronomy. Our work focuses on building bridges between the IAU and the global astronomy community of outreach professionals, educators, amateur and professional astronomers and the general public. Through international cooperation, we envision to make astronomy a science that is accessible to all. Here I will present the collaborative framework of our programmes and how the community can engage with the IAU-driven outreach programmes.

Markus Pössel, IAU OAE, Germany The IAU Office of Astronomy for Education Abstract: Since January 2020, the International Astronomical Union has an Office of Astronomy for Education (OAE). The OAE, which joins the previously existing IAU Offices for Astronomy for Development (OAD), Astronomy Outreach (OAO) and Young Astronomers (OYA) is hosted at Haus der Astronomie, a center for astronomy education and outreach operated by the Max Planck Society in Heidelberg, Germany. The talk outlines the mission of the OAE, the current state of the office and its collaborative structure – notably the National Astronomy Education Coordinator Teams (NAEC Teams), and the OAE Centers and OAE Nodes, the activities that have already started and those that are planned for the

Science	Education, Development, and Outreach
Charles Takalana, AfAS, DSI, SARAO, WITS University, RSA Simulated differential observations of the Sunyaev-Zel’dovich Effect: Probing the Dark Ages and Epoch of Reionization Abstract: This work presents an analytical approach for studying the cosmological 21cm background signal from the Dark Ages (DA) and subsequent Epoch of Reionization (EoR). We simulate differential observations of a galaxy cluster to demonstrate how these epochs can be studied with a specific form of the Sunyaev-Zel’dovich Effect called the SZE-21cm. This work produces simulated maps of the SZE-21cm and shows that the SZE-21cm can be extracted from future observations with low-frequency radio interferometers such as the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA) and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). In order to simulate near realistic scenarios, we look into cosmic variance noise, incorporate and take into account the effects of foregrounds, thermal noise, and angular resolution for our simulated observations. We further extend this exploration by averaging over a sample of galaxy clusters to mitigate the effects of cosmic variance and instrumental noise. The impact of point source contamination is also studied. Lastly, we apply this technique to the results of the EDGES collaboration, which in 2018 reported an absorption feature of the global 21cm background signal centred at 78 MHz. The challenges to be addressed in order to achieve the objectives of this work include errors that arise due to cosmic variation, instrumental noise and point source contamination. Our approach demonstrates the potential of the SZE-21cm as an indirect probe for the DA and EoR, and we conclude that the spectral features of the SZE-21cm from our simulated observations yield results that are close to prior theoretical predictions and that the SZE-21cm can be used to test the validity of the EDGES detection.	Prospery Simpemba, Copperbelt University, Zambia  Astronomy Education in primary schools as a foundation for STEM & Impact of AstroLab, Go-Lab and NASE workshops, Case Analyses Abstract: Many efforts have been done to advance astronomy education at tertiary level. We seek to look back at foundation classes (primary and secondary) and introduce astronomy to serve as a foundation for science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. While at tertiary level we ride on the starlihgt in the university lab project (AstroLab) to advance astronomy, we have started to work in the framework of the Network for Astronomy School Education (NASE) to introduce astronomy in primary and secondary schools in Zambia. The first NASE workshop took place at the University of Zambia in December 2019 and a follow-up workshop is planned for April 2020. We discus steps being taken to introduce astronomy in primary and secondary schools in Zambia and discuss how this model or strategy can be escalated to other countries in the sub-region. Since 2016, we have conducted starlight in the University Laboratory (AstroLab), Network for Astronomy School Education (NASE) and Go-Lab workshops in Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. This has helped to make astronomy relevant to stakeholders and we have managed to tap into resource persons that can help escalate the use of astronomy as a tool for development and as a gate-way for STEM advancement. We present the impact analyses of these workshops and the future landscape.
James Chibueze, North-West University, RSA MeerKAT reveals an interaction between jets and intra-cluster magnetic layer Abstract: Galaxy clusters are known to harbour magnetic field. The extent of the influence of intra-cluster magnetic field on cluster member galaxies remains an unresolved question. Intra-cluster magnetic field can be observed at the density contact discontinuity formed by cool and dense plasma running into hot ambient plasma, and the discontinuity exists in the central region of a merging galaxy cluster Abell3376. Here we report on unambiguous evidence of an interaction between relativistic electrons and intra-cluster magnetic fields from MeerKAT observations of a radio galaxy MRC 0600-399 possessing bent jets. Contrary to typical bent jets, the jet shows a 90-degree bend at the contact discontinuity and the collimated jet further extends over 100 kpc from the bend point. The spectral index flattens downstream of the bend point, indicating cosmic-ray re-acceleration. High-resolution numerical simulations reveal that the ordered magnetic field along the discontinuity, at which the intra-cluster magnetic field can be compressed and amplified, plays a significant role to the change in the direction of the jet propagation. The overall morphology of the bent jet bears remarkable similarities with the simulations, which greatly strengthens our understanding of the interaction between relativistic electrons and intra-cluster magnetic field.	Mirjana Povic, ESSTI, Ethiopia  Teachers’ trainings in Africa and STEM for GIRLS initiative Abstract: Teachers form fundamental part of our educational system and are essential for development of astronomy and space science in schools. Network for Astronomy School Education (NASE), as one of the IAU working groups, aims in teaching teachers astronomy and teaching teachers how to teach astronomy through practical approach. In this talk we will summarise the activities of NASE carried out in different African countries, discuss on some of the challenges observed, and share the ideas on how we can strengthen the networks and improve the joint work and knowledge sharing with teachers for the benefit of all. In the same line teachers are fundamental for improving in future the participation of girls in STEM fields, whose lack is still very much significant. In this talk we will also introduce recently launched ‘STEM for GIRLS in Ethiopia’ initiative whose aim is to inspire and motivate more girls in future to do STEM fields, through both direct activities with girls and through teachers involvement.
Hassan Abdalla, University of Namibia, Namibia Probing fundamental physics and cosmology using Gamma-ray observations Abstracts: Gamma-ray photons from distant astronomical objects with energies greater than the threshold energy for electron-positron pair creation are expected to be annihilated due to their absorption by extragalactic background light. Lorentz symmetry (invariance) is considered to be one of the pillars of modern physics and a fundamental symmetry in Quantum Field Theory. At energies approaching the Planck energy scale $10^19$ GeV, several quantum-gravity theories predict that familiar concepts such as Lorentz symmetry can be broken. Such extreme energies are currently unreachable by experiments on Earth, but for photons traveling over cosmological distances, the accumulated deviations from the Lorentz symmetry may be measurable using the Cherenkov Telescope Array ( like H.E.S.S. ). In this presentation we will discuss how we can probe fundamental physics and cosmology using gamma-ray observations.	Carl Pennypacker, UC Berkeley, USA Encouraging Results from an Online Teacher Training Workshop in Astronomy Education for Uganda Secondary Teachers Abstract: For 14 Saturday morning, a pilot cadre of over a dozen Uganda physics teachers attended Global Hands-On Universe (GHOU) Astronomy Workshops. The workshop was carried over the Internet with Zoom. All sessions have been recorded and linked in a Moodle Course, along with all other materials, for future learning, discussion, and review. The teachers were supplied Samsung Tablets to join the course, and teachers used their own or subsidized smart-phone hotspot data connections.  They learned to use remote automated telescopes, analyze .fts images, and all the while learn science, Information Technology, and math that is essential for students’ STEM development. This program is a collaboration between the Uganda National Curriculum Development Center and GHOU, and is particularly important nos.  Astronomy has become part of the Uganda National Curriculum, yet teachers have received little training in astronomy through their own education.  Tremendous gains in astronomy knowledge and interest occurred for a majority of the teachers, and there is great enthusiasm for extending this program, and finding a way to make this a regular part of teacher’s lives. We are seeking other partners so we can expand this work to other nations, and are eager to listen to the fine colleagues in this assembly.
Louis Perenon, UWC, RSA,  Multitasking the growth of structures Abstract: The study of cosmic acceleration and understanding its nature is nowadays one of the important branches in the field of cosmology. Searches to perfect our knowledge of gravity has triggered a vast amount of research material as much on the theoretical side than the observational one. Now more than even with upcoming large scale galaxy surveys such as SKA or EUCLID.  In this context, I would like to present a model independent approach trace departures from the predictions of the standard model of cosmology using the growth of structures. We use Gaussian process reconstruction of forecasts data in particular highlighting the benefits of the multi-tasking approach.	Joshua Kalognia, SIR-Institute for Science,  Promoting Radio Astronomy in Ghana through School Visit and Astronomy clubs Abstract: School visits and astronomy club sessions were carried out in Ghana to promote radio astronomy. Astronomy clubs were created in seven Junior High Schools in Greater-Accra region of Ghana namely: Kuntunse M/A Basic 1, 2, 3 and 4, Katakpor D/M Basic School, Jerremite International School and Unity Baptist Academy. There was an increase in the awareness of the Ghana Radio Astronomy Observatory (GRAO) and it benefits to the local community and Ghana through initial presentations given at the seven schools and also during the club visit to the GRAO. Also there was an increase in the general understanding of astronomy and radio astronomy in particular during the club sessions. Assessment sheets were used to test the students understanding. They were assessed prior and after the session. Hands-on activities were organized to help the students understand the concepts better. A teacher training workshop was organized for the astronomy club patrons to empower them to continue running astronomy club sessions in future. There was great enthusiasm to learn more from both students and teachers involved and the feedback from students and teachers showed that this project can help inspire more students to take up STEM courses and consider careers within.
Brenda Namumba, Rhodes University, RSA The NGC 7232 galaxy group with MeerKAT Abstract: We report the discovery of large amounts of previously undetected cold neutral atomic hydrogen (HI) around the core triplet galaxies in the nearby NGC 7232 galaxy group with MeerKAT. With a physical resolution of ∼1 kpc, we detect a complex web of low surface brightness HI emission down to a 4σ column density level of 1 × 1019 cm−2 (over 44 km s−1 ). The newly discovered HI streams extend over ∼20 arcmin corresponding to 140 kpc in projection. This is ∼3 times the HI extent of the galaxy triplet (52 kpc). The Hi debris has an HI mass of ∼6.6 ×109 M⊙, more than 50% of the total HI mass of the triplet. Within the galaxy triplet, NGC 7233 and NGC 7232 have lost a significant amount of HI while NGC 7232B appears to have an excess of HI. The HI  deficiency in NGC 7232 and NGC 7233 indicates that galaxy-galaxy interaction in the group concentrates on this galaxy pair while the other disc galaxies have visited them over time. In comparison to the AMIGA sample of isolated galaxies we find that with regards to its total HI mass the NGC 7232/3 galaxy triplet is not HI deficient. Despite the many interactions associated to the triplet galaxies, no HI seems to have been lost from the group (yet). Our discovery highlights the powerful capabilities of MeerKAT for spectral line observations.

Science	Education, Development, and Outreach
Rajeev Manick, SAAO, RSA The Binary nature of the central star of the PPN IRAS 08005-2356	Nadeem Oozeer, SARAO, RSA How do we up-skill Africa through the JEDI?
Marisa Geyer, SARAO, RSA Pulsars with MeerKAT and the giant bursts from PSR J0540-6919 in the LMC	Michelle Gerbaldi, Institut d’Astrophysiq ue de Paris (IAP), France Telescopic Observations from School to University: Practical Activities for Scientific Skills
Magdeline Matobe, NWU, RSA Asteroseismic and astrometric characterization of members in the NGC 6866 open cluster	Margaret Ikape, University of Toronto, Canada The Pan-African School for Emerging Astronomers
Priya Hasan, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad, India Kinematics and Progress of Star Formation in Star Clusters with Kottamia Observatory	Gyula Jozsa, SARAO, RSA Galactic Fidelity: an Africa-centered international learning initiative
Sarah Buchner, SARAO, RSA Pulsar timing on MeerKAT	Discussion
Break	Break

Session 7: Parallel Session 3

	Chair: Mirjana Povic	Chair: Jamal Mimouni
14:00 – 14:15 (CAT)	Babatunde Akinsanmi, University of porto, Portugal The quest to find rings aroundexoplanets	Bonnie Thurber, Hands on Universe, Lawrence Berkeley Labs,USA Astronomy Research by Student Teams Modeled after Real Astronomy Research
14:15 – 14:30	Benkhaldoun Zouhair, Cadi AyyadUniversity, Oukaimeden Observatory, Morocco Monitoring the activity and composition of the first interstellar comet 2I/Borisov with TRAPPIST telescopes	Maram Kaire, Association Senegalaise pour la Promotion de l’Astronomie, Senegal Senegal Observatio n of the stellar Occultation of Polymele
14:30 – 14:45	Timothy Egbuim, National Space Research and Development Agency, Nigeria Evolutionary Panspermia: Planets MicroLife and Beyond	Ikechuwu Anthony Obi, NASRDACentre for Basic Space Science, Nigeria A compact and portable hydrogen line radio telescope for education and outreach
14:45 – 15:00	Salma Sylla, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal Measuring variability with small telescopes: Monitoring impact flashes on Jupiter and the study of variable star	Aniket Sule, HBCSE, India International Astronomy Olympiads – engaging Africa
15:00 – 15:15	Jean-Baptiste Kikwaya Eluo, Vatican Observation, Italy Physical Characterization of Near-Earth Objects (From spectroscopy back to spectrophotometry)	Discussion

Close: Day 2

Day 3 (Wednesday: 10 March 2021)

Session 8: Planetary 4

Chair: Niruj Ramanujam

09:30 – 09:45 (CAT)	Encarni Romero Colmenero, SAAO/SALT, RSA An update on SALT
09:45 – 10:00	David Buckley, SAAO, RSA Observing Optical Transients in Africa
10:00 – 10:15	Kevin Govender, IAU OAD, RSA Astronomy for Development
10:15 – 10:30	Susan Murabana, APA, Kenya African Planetarium Association
10:30 – 10:45	Break

Session 9: Parallel Session 4

	Chair: James Chibueze	Chair: Ramasamy Venugopal
10:45 – 11:00 (CAT)	Alvine Kamaha, University at Albany, State University of New York, USA The LUX-ZEPLIN Dark Matter Experiment	Alemiye Yacob Mamo, EAROAD/ESSTI, Ethiopia  Overview of EAROAD and Space Science Development in Ethiopia
11:00 – 11:15	Michelle Lochner, South African Radio Astronomy Observatory, RSA Anomaly Detection in Astronomy with Machine Learning	Nnaemeka Dom Onyeuwaoma, NASRDACentre for Basic Space Science, Nsukka, Nigeria  The West African Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (WAROAD): The Journey So Fa
11:15 – 11:30	Stephen Potter, SAAO, RSA SAAO’s Intelligent Observatory (IO)	Prospery Simpemba, Copperbelt University, Zambia  Southern African Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (SAROAD) 7 Years after Establishment
11:30 – 11:45	Patrick Woudt, UCT, RSA ThunderKAT and MeerLICHT: a multiwavelength study of astrophysical transients	Sylvain Bouley, Société Astronomique de France, France  L’Astronomie Afrique, the first astronomy webzine in Africa
11:45 – 12:00	Tana Joseph, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands An SKA precursor view of the Small Magellanic Cloud	Discussion
12:00 – 12:30	Lunch

Session 10: Parallel Session 5

	Chair: Somaya Saad	Chair: Susan Murabana
12:30 – 12:45 (CAT)	Mirjana Povic, ESSTI, Ethiopia Development of extragalactic astronomy in Ethiopia and East-Africa through nuclear activity in galaxies across cosmic time	Sally Macfarlane, UCT, RSA A Full dome look at African Astronomy
12:45– 13:00	Tahina Princy Ranaivoma nana, University of Manchester, UK The SUNBIRD survey: Young massive star clusters hosted by strongly starforming galaxies	Hichem Guergouri, Sirius Astronomy Association Algeria Constantine Cosmic Caravane
13:00 – 13:15	Julien Larena, University of Cape Town, RSA Line-of-sight effects in gravitational lensing	Nico van den Merwe, South Africa Developing Affordable Portable Planetariums for the African Continent
13:15 – 13:30	Dejene Zewdie Woldeyes, Universidad Diego Portales, Chile The Environments of Hot Dust Obscured Galaxies	Discussion
13:30 – 13:45	Break

Session 11: Parallel Session 6

	Chair: Rajeev Manick	Chair: Niruj Ramanujam
13:45 – 14:00 (CAT)	Johnson Urama, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria THE UNENDING RIDDLES OF NEUTRON STAR GLITCHES	Daniel Cunnama, SAAO, RSA The Cosmic Savannah Podcast
14:00 – 14:15	Nekolgne Aymard Badolo, University Joseph KIZERBO, Burkina Faso Loss of mass of evolved stars via observations with sphere at the VLT	Rosa Doran, NUCLIO, Portugal  Digital tools and resources to empower educators and learners
14:15 – 14:30	Mohamed Darwish Darwish, NRIAG, Egypt Cosmic masers toward high-mass star forming regions	Nikhita Madhanpall, IAU OAD, RSA Data science skills development in Africa with big data hackathon
14:30 – 14:45	Oyirwoth Patrick Abedigamba, North-West University, RSA Kepler space observations of diperiodic and ellipsoidal star: KIC 5112836	Zoe Chee, Astronomers without Borders, Canada Astronomers Without Borders – Building Community through Astronomy
14:45 – 15:00	Hambeleleni Davids, University of Namibia, Namibia Estimating Uncertainties in the Predicted Gamma-ray Flux of Globular Clusters in the Cherenkov Telescope Array Era	Discussion
15:00 – 15:15	Break

Session 12: Special Session 1

Convener: Shazrene Mohamed/Brad Frank

15:15 – 16:30 (CAT)

IAU GA 2024

Close: Day 3

Day 4 (Thursday: 11 March 2021)

Session 13: Planetary 5

Chair: Renée Kraan-Kortweg

09:30 – 09:45 (CAT)	Zara Randriamanakoto, SAAO, RSA Star clusters and radio AGNs as vital tools to study galaxy formation and evolution
09:45 – 10:00	Kenda Knowles, UKZN, RSA Galaxy Clusters with MeerKAT
10:00 – 10:15	Alemiye Mamo, ESSTI, Ethiopia2020 2020 Annular Solar Eclipse in Lalibela, Ethiopia
10:15 – 10:30	Niruj Ramanujam, SARAO, RSA Enabling pan-African outreach campaigns: the role of AfAS
10:30 – 10:45	Break

Session 14: Parallel Session 

	Chair: Naftali Kimani	Chair: Amidou Sorgho
10:45 – 11:00 (CAT)	Ayodeji Ibitoye, University of KwaZulu Natal, RSA Cosmological parameter estimation with thermal Sunyaev Zeldovich effect and projected density field	Ramasamy Venugopal, IAU-OAD, RSA Astronomy for Development: an African view
11:00 – 11:15	Imogen Whittam, University of Oxford / UWC, RSA/UK Exploring radio galaxies with the MIGHTEE survey	Getachew Mekonnen Mengistie, University of Namibia, Namibia  Astronomy, and Its Impact in Namibia: Astro-tourism
11:15 – 11:30	Neo Namane, Rhodes University, RSA, MIGHTEE, but radio quiet: An investigation of AGN emission	Tawanda Chingozha, IAU OAD, RSA Impact of Science on Development – Perspectives from Sutherland
11:30 – 11:45	Cláudio Paulo, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique Statistical analysis of radio halo and relics sample in Galaxy Clusters	Discussion
11:45 – 12:30	Lunch	Lunch

Session 15: Parallel Session

	Chair: Vanessa McBride	Chair: Alemiye Mamo
12:30 – 12:45 (CAT)	Tolu Biressa, Jimma University, Ethiopia, Ethiopia The rate of star formation in interacting molecular clouds with stellar activity	El Yajouri Meriem, National Outreach Coordinator, Morocco The most successful astronomy outreach events in Morocco in 2019-2020
12:45 – 13:00	Innocent, Eya, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria Magnitude of Neutron Star Crustal Fluid and Evolution Vela-like Glitches	Somaya Saad, National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG), Egypt Astronomy Development, Education, and outreach in Egypt: Challenges and Prospects
13:00 – 13:15	Willice  Obonyo Non-thermal radio emission from massive protostars	Johnson Urama, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria The African Cultural Astronomy Project: The Hidden Treasure
13:15 – 13:30	Break	Discussion
13:30 – 14:00	Break	Break

Session 16: Parallel Session 

	Chair: Brenda Namumba	Chair: Prospery Simpemba
14:00 – 14:15 (CAT)	Amidou Sorgho, CSIC-IAA, Spain Angular momentum of isolated galaxies	Claudio Paulo, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique The constraint of astronomy research in Mozambique
14:15 – 14:30	Sourabh Paul, University of the Western Cape, RSA HI intensity mapping with the MeerKAT interferometer: power spectrum estimates	Kirubel Menberu, Ethiopian Space Science Society, Ethiopia Projects on expansion and development of amateur astronomy for youth in Ethiopia
14:30 – 14:45	Mazengo Daudi, The University of Dodoma, Tanzania Detailed characterization of LINERs in the local universe	Tahina Princy Ranaivomanana, University of Manchester, UK Developing Astronomy in Madagascar: Young Malagasy graduate students taking charge.
14:45 – 15:00	Sultan Hassan, Flatiron Institute, USA Can galaxy evolution mimic Cosmic Reionization?	Discussion
15:00 – 15:30	Break	Break

Session 17: Special Session 2

Convene: Carolina Odman

15:30 – 17:00 (CAT)

Science

Close: Day 4

Day 5 (Friday: 12 March 2021)

AfAS Business Focus

Session 18: Business/General Meeting

09:30 – 10:30 (CAT)	Business/General Meeting 1
10:30 – 10:45	Break
10:45 – 12:00	Business/General Meeting 2
12:00 – 12:30	Lunch

Session 19: Special Session 3 & 4

12:30 – 13:30	AfNWA (Women in Astronomy): Special Session 3
13:30 – 14:30	Amateur Astronomy Associations in Africa: Special Session 4

Close: Day 5

Science Posters:

Asrate Gaulle Asrie (Dilla University) An Alternative Method for Measuring the Accretion Rate in Active Galactic Nuclei

Betelehem Bilata (Debre Berhan University (DBU)) Multiwavelength morphological study of active galaxies in the BASS survey

Dr. Getachew Mekonnen Mengistie Listening the Sound of Stars: Asteroseismology

Dugasa Belay Zeleke (Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute) Effects of the dynamo magnetic fields on observational properties of Accreting Millisecond X-ray Pulsars

Lerothodi Leeuw (University of the Western Cape) Constraining Proto-clusters with MeerKAT

Margaret Ikape (University of Toronto) Mitigating the optical depth degeneracy using the kinematic Sunyaev-Zel’dovich effect with CMB-S4

Mejri Ziad (Tunisian Outreach (IAU)) Solar System

Nazir Ahmed Makda (SAAO) Ultra-Diffuse Galaxy Candidates in Stripe 82 Clusters

Seblu Humne Negu (Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute, Entoto Observatory and Reserach Center) Mass-luminosity relation of the low-mass Algol-type eclipsing binaries

Abdelaziz Eid (National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG)) An astrometric and photometric study of the young open cluster NGC 2168 and its possible member, the eclipsing binary [NBN2015]77

Education, Development and Outreach Posters

Priya Hasan (Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad, India) Clear Skies: An IUA-OAD Project

Elimboto Yohana (Dar Es Salaam University College of Education (www.duce.ac.tz) ) Digital and Web-based Technologies for Accelerated STEM Teaching, Learning, and Research

Ceren Ulusoy (BIUST) Highlights of the recent developments of Astronomy in Botswana

Elizabeth  Naluminsa  (Kyambogo University ) Astronomy Outreach in Uganda

Ashraf Tadross (National research institute of astronomy and geophysics) My experience in Astronomy Outreach in Egypt

Eugene Tetteh-Owusu Okwei (University of Leeds) Understanding the impact of large-scale Radio Astronomy projects on student engagement with physics in Ghana

Tumo Fortunate Kedumele (Botswana International University of Science and Technology and Women in STEM (WiS)) Outreach Project: Astronomy for Change in Botswana through Women in STEM (WiS)