A brand new 24-hour Space Weather Centre for South Africa

South African now has a new, ultra-modern Space Weather Centre which recently launched in Hermanus on 3 November.

How’s the weather up there?

The brand new space weather centre, which was launched in Hermanus in the Western Cape this past week, was developed by the South African Space Agency (SANSA). The newly-developed centre is the only one of its kind in Africa, says Cape Town Etc.

The purpose of the Centre is to monitor the sun and its activity to provide information, early warnings and forecasts on space weather conditions, such as the effects of solar storms, flares and other weather phenomena.

The launch was attended by several dignitaries, including the Minister of the Department of Higher Education and Training, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, who said that the new facility will be operational 24/7 and will provide weather services primarily to aviation.

Nzimande claimed that the launch served as an illustration of South Africa’s excellence in science.

“It is also a demonstration that the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), together with its agencies, continue to respond to the socio-economic challenges of our country by using science, technology and innovation as a catalyst and catalyser for economic development.” Nzimande said.

“It is necessary to note that much like terrestrial weather, space weather results from a complex system driven both by the Sun and events much closer to Earth, and the impacts have a significant social and economic impact on Earth” he added.

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