The SKA/KAT stand at SciFest 2007 was very popular and the outreach team worked long hours to answer visitors' questions about the universe, our solar system and the future of radio astronomy in South Africa.

The South African SKA and MeerKAT team is using the excitement of designing and building a new telescope to generate interest and inspire a new generation of scientists in the country. They collaborate with outreach staff at the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory to participate in public science events across the country. The joint stand between SKA, meerKAT and HartRAO features several information banners, scale models of the KAT prototype, a KAT terrain model and a DVD of a virtual visit to the KAT. Cartoon-style astronomy posters and a do-it-yourself planisphere kit are distributed for free at events.

So far this year, the outreach team have exhibited and presented public talks at two week-long science festivals, SciFest 2007 in Grahamstown and Science Unlimited in Pretoria. They also participated in ScopeX, an annual event for amateur astronomers and the general public, held every year at the Military History Museum in Johannesburg.

SKA and meerKAT will also feature at these events in the coming months:

• National Science Week in Kimberley, Northern Cape Province, from
  14 - 19 May 2007
• A fly-inn community event in Carnavon, 15 - 17 June 2007
• SABC Careers Expo in Kimberley, 2 - 3 August 2007
• SASOL TechnoX science week in Sasolburg, 23 - 28 August 2007

The three educational posters are especially popular with learners, educators and parents. The posters focus on:

• Our "new" solar system
• The electromagnetic spectrum
• Your place in our amazing universe

Download these posters, as well as a planisphere kit.