Opportunities and scientific development
for the implementation of the South
Africa SKA project in Madagascar
Dr RAKOTONJANAHARY Xavier
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Prof RAMBOLAMANANA Gérard
Director, Institute Observatory of Geophysic of
Antananarivo, University of Antananarivo
Prof RAKOTOMALALA Minoson
Director, Institute for Energy Managing
Scientific development
REPARTITION DES ETUDIANTS INSCRITS PAR ETABLISSEMENT
Ecole Sup.des
Sc.Agronomiques
2,8%
Ecole
Sup.Polytechnique
5,7%
Ecole Normale
Supérieure
4,1%
Faculté des
Sciences
12,2%
Scientific disciplines12%
Laws 43%
Health 15%
Literature and Human Sciences: 18%
Agronomy: 3%
Engineering: 6%
High school education: 4%
Faculté des Lettres
& Sc.Hum.
17,7%
Faculté de Médecine
15,0%
Faculté de D.E.G.S.
42,6%
Scientific development
DISCIPLINE
DEA 6 years
Doctorat 7 years
M
F
M
F
Total
Mathematiques
19
1
2
0
2
Physics-Chemistry
61
12
15
2
17
Naturalnces
60
61
8
2
10
140
74
25
4
29
Total
Astronomy and physics education.
History of the astronomical research
 In 1889, an astronomic telescope was installed at the
Observatory of Antananarivo, Ambohidepona, a hill in the city of
Antananarivo.
 Characteristics: Ø = 133 mm
 Focal = 720 mm (PERL-VIXEN).
 Astronomers : Father Poisson and Father Colin.
 From 1972 to 1980: Dr De Comarmond initiated the first
monitoring of radioastronomy and astrophysics at the
Observatory of Antananarivo.
 1986: observation of Halley comet
Present times…..
 For Madagascar, astronomy in infancy.
 But thanks to the co-operation with SKA Project, since 2006,
students were sent at the University of Capetown, South Africa
to carry out studies and research on the various aspects of
astronomy.
Astronomy and physics education
(cont’d)
At the celebration of the
international year of
Astronomy in 2009, the
Department of Physics of the
Faculty of Science of the
University of Antananarivo,
decided to follow the step in
radio astronomy by installing a
small radio telescope.
A small dish is mounted on the
roof of the building of the
Physics Department. The
apparatus is still simple but
gives satisfactory results with
some stars already known like
the sun.
Astronomy and physics education
(cont’d)
 Two students use this antenna for their
thesis memory of DEA (MsC)
 1. “Radio operator observation of the
sun using a radio telescope built from
an aerial parabolic of the type "prime
x-ray"
 2. “Data analysis of the solar radiation
from an experimentation on a radio
telescope”.
Motivation
 Enhancing science, engineering and technology
capacity in developing countries is important to
their growth and development.
 Reform of the education system of Madagascar
(reorganisation of the syllabus in the LMD's
system)
 In Madagascar, astronomy is seen as a window
for tourism. Its promotion is a way of attracting
school leavers to consider a career in science or
engineering, in line with the country needs.
 Astrophysics and astronomy could play a crucial
role in teaching and capacity building.
The program





Started in 2006 at the Physic Department of the Faculty of
Sciences with the SKA Program in South Africa
There is yet a very little course in Astronomy in formal
curricula, but initiatives have been made to offer courses and
professional training.
Access to research outputs in this domain is one focus of the
Physic department. It gives potential to develop and
encourage a positive attitude to stimulating interest and
appreciation of astronomy.
The courses offered (in French): Physique et Applications/
Spécialité Physique du Globe, de l'Energie et de
l'Environnement/ Parcours Astrophysique et Astronomie.
Number of students : 3 per year
Schedules Master 1
Specialty: ASTROPHYSICS
Modules
Lectures
Tutorials
Lab works
Units
SEMESTER I (jointly with other Physical Master)
UE1
Mathematical
Techniques applied to
Physics
33
33
06
UE2
Statistical Physics
33
33
06
UE3
Quantum Physics
16,50
16,50
03
UE4
Vibrations and Waves
16,50
16,50
03
UE5
Data processing
33
English
33
03
Management
33
03
TOTAL (Semester I)
198
33
99
33
06
30
SEMESTER II
Modules
Lectures
Tutorials
Lab works
Introduction and leveling
Astrophysics
Numerical analysis and data processing
33
33
06
UE6
- Goals of astrophysics
33
33
06
UE7
Astrophysical mediums, kinetics and
fluids
33
33
06
UE8
- Data treatments, processing and digital
simulations in astronomy
33
33
06
UE9
- Statistical methods
16,50
16,50
03
TOTAL (Semester II)
165
165
30
TOTAL
Over the year
363H
264H
33
Units
60
Schedules Master 2
Specialty: ASTROPHYSICS
Modules
Lectures
Tutorials
Lab works
Units
SEMESTER I (S9)
UE1
- Data bases and information
systems applied to
astronomy
10
20
06
UE2
- The opposite methods
20
20
06
20
20
06
UE4
Astrophysical of high energies and
compact objects
20
20
06
UE5
Dynamic and gravitational systems
20
20
06
TOTAL SEMESTER I (S9)
90H
100
30
UE3
- Radiation modeling in stellar and
interstellar environment
SEMESTER II (S10)
Modules
Lectures
Tutorials
UE6
Galactic evolution
20
20
04
150
22
UE7
- Training course
TOTAL (Semester II)
TOTAL over the year
Total Master 2
Lab works
Units
26
20
170
30
110H
270H
60
Person in charge for speciality
Randriamananatany Zely Arivelo
Full professor
Department of Physics
Faculty of Science
B.P. 906
Tel. 261 20 22 547 58
zlyran@yahoo.fr
Secretariat
Secretariat of Physics
Department of Physics
Faculty of Science
B.P. 906
Tel. 261 20 22 547 58
261 20 24 334 49
dphy@univ-antananarivo.mg
Opportunities
 Geographical and strategic location of
Madagascar
 Facilitation for regulation of bandwidth
interference (OMERT, IOGA)
 Participation of Madagascar in the International
knowledge-based consortium; training in
South-Africa and Madagascar.
 Connectivity with other African countries and
the world through EASSY
 Multiple choice for site location
Site physical parameters
 Road access
 Geology
 Meteorological Data (Temperature, Wind
velocity, rainfall, air humidity)
 Geophysical data (Tectonic and seismic
stabilities)
 Bandwidth interference (sites surrounded
by mountains are prioritized)
 Two sites were identified (Ankaramena and
Betroka)
Ankaramena site location
ANKARAMENA site elevation
Betroka site Location
BETROKA Site
…Regarding the seismicity of Ankaramena and Betroka
Regions …..
Normal monthly temperature
Ankaramena 1949 – 2008
Mean temperature Ankaramena
(1949 – 2008)
21°8 C
Wind anomalies Ankaramena
(1949 – 2008)
Normal Wind Ankaramena
(1949 – 2008)
Monthly mean wind speed
Ankaramena (1949 – 2008)
2,6 – 3,0 m/s
Temperature Anomalies
Betroka (1949 – 2008)
Normal monthly temperature
Betroka (1949 – 2008
Mean Temperature Betroka
(1949 – 2008)
21°8 C
Wind anomalies Betroka
(1949 – 2008)
Tropical storms are violent in the North and North West region,
but are rare and weaker in the South West. They occur mainly
in January-February (50%)
Normal Wind Speed Betroka
(1949 – 2008)
Mean Wind Speed
Betroka (1949 – 2008)
2,6 – 3,0 m/s
GEOLOGY and Other
Geophysical Data
 Geology: both sites belong to
the sedimentary part of
Madagascar but on site,
endogenous rocks could be
found
 Other Geophysical Data such as
electrical and seismic: missing
because of lack of funds
LAND ACQUISITION
 Law in Madagascar with regard to the
use of land for science education
exist.
 The Institute and Observatory of
Geophysics of Antananarivo is very
familiar to face this situation (e. g.
seismic stations land acquisition)
BANDWIDTH FREQUENCIES
 The IOGA has the equipment to
measure the bandwidth frequency.
 Supervision of the SKA team
Road Access
 The two proposed sites are accessible
during the year.
 The national road RN7 passes next to
both sites and is not far away from
main localities
 But…..The main Electricity Power for
both sites is the main difficulty to be
solved.
Connectivity
Madagascar EASSY (East Africa Submarine
Cable System)
EASSY
Telma
La Réunion
Mauritius
Metropolitan Fibre
Network
φ1 Optical Fibre
Undersea Future
Options
EASSy
Thank you !!!