Nigerian Astronomer Calls for Astronomical Research Investment

To support basic space science research and study in Nigeria, Astronomer Prof. Augustine Chukwude has urged the government to invest in purchasing astronomical research facilities.

Due to a lack of astronomy research facilities, Chukwude, a representative of the Astronomy Society of Nigeria (ASN), stated on Thursday that the majority of Nigerian astronomers live overseas.

He said that to support basic space science research and study, the Government should invest in purchasing a telescope that is at least 30 meters long.

According to him, Nigeria’s location at the equator could put her on a pedestal among nations in the South, North, and East if she were to get a 30-meter telescope.

“Nigeria can boast of having the highest number of astronomers in sub-Saharan Africa but most of them are outside because they have to be where they have facilities to do their research.

“If the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) through the Federal Government can provide a 30-meter telescope, it will put Nigeria on the global map.

“There is what we call Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), that is, using radio observatory or telescope from different continents, link them up to form a very high resolution.

“If Nigeria has a 30-metre dish today, Nigeria will be big as a nation because those in the South, North, and East will want to link up with us because we are along the equator.’’

If any country around the equator champions such now, it would be the pride of nations, Chukwude said, adding that only South Africa had a functioning radio telescope in Africa.

He claimed that astronomers trained in observational astronomy needed to be around facilities to aid research, but Nigeria lacked even a 5-meter telescope.

He said that Nigeria should prioritise basic space science to encourage its education and project other areas of space science, including astronomy.

“Astronomy has the capacity of drawing people in Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics, and once you have people in astronomy, you are almost sure of a future guaranteed in space research.

“It doesn’t matter how long it takes us to develop our basic space science programme, but it is a programme we have to develop on our own,’’ he said.

NAN