Radio Astronomy at MeerKAT: Behind the Scenes

Radio bubbles within the Milky Way, captured by the MeerKAT Radio Telescope. Image courtesy of the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory.

Sarah Buchner, the science operations lead for the MeerKAT Radio Telescope, is scheduled to give a talk at the Welcome Glen Farmhouse, located at 36 Glenoak Road, Glencairn, on Wednesday, 13 November, at 18:30.

Situated in the vast quietude of the Karoo, the MeerKAT Radio Telescope has established South Africa as a leading entity in radio astronomy. Comprising 64 dishes, it is employed to study pulsars—magnetised, rotating neutron stars—and to examine gravitational waves. In this presentation, Buchner will highlight the advances made at MeerKAT in the past five years, including the identification of new pulsars and galaxies, as well as discoveries that are helping astronomers better understand the boundary between neutron stars and black holes.

In her role as science operations lead, Buchner manages the scheduling and coordination of MeerKAT's scientific endeavors. Her vast experience encompasses overseeing observation projects at MeerKAT, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO), and in Antarctica. She has contributed to several significant discoveries, such as identifying a mysterious stellar object that might connect the characteristics of neutron stars and black holes. Buchner is dedicated to making astronomy accessible to the public and inspiring future scientists through outreach and education.

Tickets cost R140 and include a glass of wine. It is necessary to book in advance due to limited seating. Reservations can be made online or by emailing smalltalx.info@gmail.com, or through WhatsApp at 073 421 8879.