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April 2009
Number 9
 
Focus on SKA challenges and opportunities in the beautiful Cape
SKA Science and Engineering Committee (SSEC) meeting
SA audiences love Longair's cosmology
Shepherd shows what astronomy outreach is all about
Mission MeerKAT 2 launched
Mission MeerKAT 2 launched

An inquisitive school girl Hannah and the young astronomer Naledi are two key characters in colourful comic books developed by the SKA South Africa to engage children (and their families) in the story of the SKA and MeerKAT. A real meerkat also features prominently, along with an adorable bat-eared fox - both animals found in the Karoo. The first edition of "Mission MeerKAT" was so popular that a sequel "Mission MeerKAT 2" has now been launched. The stories are set in and around a small rural town in the Karoo and help readers to understand - in a very accessible style and with a good dose of humour - how radio astronomy works and why the pathfinder telescope - and possibly later the SKA - will be built in the Karoo. The comics are distributed to schools in all the towns near the proposed SKA site (Carnarvon, Williston and Van Wyksvlei), as well as at public science events such as SciFest Africa (March 2009) and National Science Week (May 2009). They will also be available at science centres in the country throughout the International Year of Astronomy 2009. Download the Mission MeerKAT series