[AstroNet] International Astronautical Congress comes to Cape Town

[Kechil Kirkham]

Come join in the fun – for free.

 

October 3rd – 7th 2011

 

Cape Town is host to the 62nd INTERNATIONAL ASTRONAUTICAL CONGRESS  this
year. It’s the first time in Africa and marks the international space
community’s commitment to space projects in Africa. 

 

The world’s space agency heads and senior executives of legendary global
aerospace companies will rub shoulders with top scientists, astronauts,
industry researchers, space lawyers, young professionals and students. Over
two thousand delegates are expected, with many exciting events and
individuals.

 

“This is a fantastic opportunity to meet some of the stars of space
exploration and show them what South Africans are doing,” said Peter
Martinez, chair of the Local Organising Committee, based at the SAAO (South
African Astronomical Observatory) in Cape Town.

 

Visit the public programme at  http://iac2011.com/general-public-events or
see below for the diverse programme.

 

 

 

This is the first time the International Astronautical Federation has held
its annual congress in Africa in over 60 years. So we have to do something
different to mark the occasion. Here in Africa everyone gets involved, and
to prove it we’ve put together a programme of events (many are free) that
anyone can go to. These events represent other ways of thinking about space,
they draw from inspiration found high up in the stars, and the genius that
comes from a place rooted deep in the African soil. 

 

Head of NASA, Astronaut, Charles F Bolden Jnr Tuesday 4 October 20:00 CTICC
Auditorium 2

Come hear it from the top. It’s not often the head of NASA comes to town.
Make sure you book in advance on www.livingmaths.com. Adults R40, Children
and OAPs, R20.

 

SpaceWalk         Monday 3 October All morning in the Cape Town CBD

To get the message across to the Cape Town people, that something massive
and spacelike is happening in their own city, we have found some real
spacebeings to frolic and gamble around the city. Catch them doing a spot of
Tai Chi at Green Point, catching the cable car to the top of Table Mountain,
reading the newspaper in Church Square, talking a peek in the Iziko Museum
and Planetarium, messing about on Long Street, and generally doing what
spacepeople do. 

 

Astronautical Poetry at Off-The-Wall     Monday 3 October 20:00   Touch of
Madness

Off-The-Wall, a  poetry gathering at Touch of Madness, Nutall Road,
Observatory  http://www.cafeatom.co.za/ hosts this evening of spaced out
delight. Keith Gottschalk, luminary extraordaire of the space world in South
Africa, is giving a reading of his astronautically-themed poetry, followed
by open mic. Enjoy the relaxed but eccentric atmosphere of this lovely old
pub in Observatory, a glass of wine, and some real poetry. Free.

 

Dr Catherine Coleman,  NASA Astronaut              Wednesday 5 Oct 14:15
Rustenburg Girls Junior School

Astronaut Catherine Coleman will be talking about living and working in
Space - Rustenburg Junior School for Girls, Main Road, Rondebosch.

 

Forged in the Stars          Wednesday 5 October   20:00     CTICC
Auditorium 2

This will be an inspirational and unforgettable evening. Two top performers
invite you to an evening of spellbinding story-telling about the stars and
our part in reaching them. Jay O’ Callahan from the US will recount the
history of NASA, followed by Gcina Mhlope weaving her African magic into an
African story of the cosmos. Free.

 

Astronautical / SGAC Open Night at the South African Astronomical
Observatory Wednesday 5 October 19:30 

This special Open Night at the Observatory features activities for children,
and for the grown-ups there will be short talks about aspects of space:
Industry, Agencies, Society, and Exploration. After the talks there will be
an opportunity to tour the venerable observatory and (weather permitting)
take a look through telescopes. The local Astronomy Society and the SGC will
be joining in. The Observatory is situated on Observatory Road in the suburb
of Observatory (next to the River Club) Free.

 

World Café         Fine Music Radio 101.3                 Wednesday 5
October 22:00 – 24:00

Fine Music Radio plays music for grown-ups, calm in the chaos. Tune into
eclectic music inspired by space. World Café is brought to you by Kechil
Kirkham, Media Liaison on the Local Organising Committee of the IAC2011. 

 

Book Reading  6 Oct 10:00am Rustenburg Girls Junior (Suitable for Ages 8-12)

Astronomer and Author, Jeff Bennett will be doing a reading from his book
Max Goes To The Moon. Free.

 

World Heritage protected by satellite   Thursday 6 October 20:00 CTICC

Dr Mario Hernandez of UNESCO and Professor Heinz Ruther of UCT will talk
about using satellite and laser technologies to help in the monitoring and
preservation of the world’s heritage sites. Free.

 

Space Competition         4 to 7 October all day  ArtScape Foyer

In the Artscape Marble Foyer Extension, come view the winners of the Schools
Space Art Competition and marvel at how the next generation sees The Future
of Africa in Space. You can also view the Art on www.livingmaths.com. It’s a
short walk from the CTICC. 

 

 

Contact:              Kechil Kirkham kechil at saao.ac.za   

 

 

 

 

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