| |
|
The Centre for Basic Space Science has made so many achievements,these achievements are summarized bellow:
- Has successfully taken the inventory of relevant space scientists working in various areas of Basic Space Science in Nigeria.
- Has successfully hosted two National Workshops which enabled the Centre to form seven (7) working groups in Space Science and Technology in Nigeria.
- Has successfully put to use Automatic Weather Station which was donated to the Centre by NIMET
- CBSS is now collaborating with the following Universities. Federal University of Technology Akure, University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, University of Abuja, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Federal University of Technology, Mina, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, NIMET, CSTD, Abuja, UNIZIK, Awka, CTP Epe-Lagos, others will join later.
- The MOU Agreement which CBSS signed with National Astronomical Observatory Japan (NAOJ), has started. Two or our scientists and a technical has been to Japan for 4 months for capacity building focused on instrumentation in Radio Astronomy.
- South African Astronomical Observatory has also signed an MOU aimed at instrumentation and observational program in Optical Astronomy. Two members of staff carried out an MSc projects using facilities in South African Astronomical Observatory.
- We have successfully fabricated locally, in our solar physics project, a solar technology machine, able to utilize solar radiation. Three stations have been completed and functional.
- The Centre has acquired 2 Optical Telescopes: with eyepiece diameter 25cm and 15cm. The first one was purchased by us in Japan, while the second one was donated to us by UNESCO. These telescopes are currently being used for teaching, research, science popularization and regular nigh observations.
- CBSS has constructed using its Engineers and Local Technicians an electronically operated Dome that houses the 25cm optical telescope.
- On the instruction of NASRDA, the Centre has investigated the landing of two mysterious objects in the Northern parts of Nigeria. Analysis of the nature of these objects has been carried out by the Centre and found to be meteorites. Detailed investigation of the exact contents and precise origin of these meteorites have been carried out at the Harvard University laboratory and also at ABU Energy Laboratory. Results obtained are published in Nigerian Journal of Space Research, Volume 1.
- One of the greatest achievements of the Centre is the floating of the first “Nigerian Journal of Space Research”, which will be mainly devoted to the publications of major research achievements of researchers in Nigeria in all aspects of Space Science and Technology. The response has been tremendous; the competition is extremely high and the first volume was launched in March 2006. Hopefully, we plan to produce two volumes yearly.
- Following the application by CBSS and the support of Nigeria Academy of Science (the adhering body), Nigeria was re-admitted as one of the three African countries that are members of International Astronomical Union (IUA). Now, we have been able to pay their annual dues, we are exploring possibilities of getting various supports and working closely with IAU.
- The Director, CBSS has been appointed the International Astronomical Union (IAU) representative in Nigeria, and the single-point contact for the International Astronomical Year. We are set to participate fully in the IAY activities.
- Astronomical Society of West Africa has just been inaugurated in December 2005. The President of the Union is the Director of CBSS who happens to have produced most of the Astronomers in Nigeria.
- A Japanese Scientists, Dr. Noguchi, was in Nigeria for one month in 2006 to work with out researchers on the correct use of our Optical Telescope including the CCD Camera. The Centre benefited immensely from the visit. The Japanese Government through the visitor made a donation of a small CCD camera and a laptop to Nigeria, but this was given to RSUST, Port Harcourt since we already have such instrument.
- CBSS hosted five Space Scientists from NAOJ, Japan, including their Director-General in April 2005. This event afforded us a very good opportunity to fully discuss the details and mode of operation of the MOU which the Centre signed with Japan. It also boosted our science popularization program.
- CBSS also hosted experts in Space Science from UNESCO in 2005. This was another major booster to our Space Science Awareness. We received a donation of 15cm Telescope from the UNESCO visitors. Further plans are under way to receive assistance from UNESCO in form of Capacity Building of our staff.
- We must never neglect the national collaboration that brought all the Universities together for the first time which led to the formation of 7 groups of researchers. Let us give a little money to each group to make a start. Unfortunately our research allocation for 2006 is very small and can only address the demands of only 2 groups.
- Based on our small fund allocation, CBSS has started with the first phase of NECOP-Nigerian Climatic Network-collaboration between USA, CBSS and NIMET. This research collaboration has just been started in which, the first 5 stations in the network are being developed to study real time climatic and environmental hazards in the country.
- We hope that our MOU with Japan, essentially on manpower training in Japan which has started will receive counterpart funding. Thus, if fund is available it will enable us to dismantle the donated 5m dish with all its accessories, drive system, receivers, and telescope control panels and transport them to our site in Nigeria and re-installation. This, if carried out successful by our Engineers and Scientists with only little assistance by the Japanese will form the first phase of our capacity building. This will enable us in the near future in Nigeria for frontline research activities in Astronomy and Geodesy and Geodynamics.
- Our capacity building abroad is continuously gaining momentum. Apart from the three countries mentioned above, we have recently planned to send two of our staff/students to Dublin to construct and bring back to Nigeria an Atmospheric monitor.
- CBSS is also participating actively in activities marking 50 years of Space Age coming up on 4th – 10th October, 2007.
- Another two astronomers will be traveling to Island/Italy to carry out planned optical observations and data analysis techniques. This will take place in early 2008.
- Our future projects which have gone for due process for 2007 include the setting up at our permanent site the following:
- (i) A 20-25m state-of-the art radio telescope by ourselves using consultants mainly locally and partly from South Africa and Japan.
- (ii) To set up a 30cm optical telescope with an electronically operated dome and CCD much more sophisticated than the one in our temporary observatory.
- (iii) To increase our NECOP stations to at least 10 for overall coverage of the country
| |
Brief History
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY