Blending bush and stars

Chris Engelbrecht University of Johannesburg

Southern Africa draws a few million visitors to nature reserves per annum Southern Africa contains millions of km 2 covered by dark skies at night NASA

Southern Africa draws a few million visitors to nature reserves per annum Southern Africa contains millions of km 2 covered by dark skies at night Communicate astronomy to the public in nature reserves

~ 50 professional astronomers in SA ~ 100 amateur astronomers in SA A few million tourists per annum ?

~ 50 professional astronomers in SA ~ 100 amateur astronomers in SA A few million tourists per annum ~ trained nature communicators work in game reserves

~ 50 professional astronomers in SA ~ 100 amateur astronomers in SA A few million tourists per annum ~ trained nature communicators work in game reserves The Skyranger course

Indigo Bay mozambiqueaccommodation.co.za roamingafrica.com

The Kgalagadi

Northern Botswana

Olifants Camp (KNP) Skukuza Kruger National Park

Gauteng Waterberg

2006 – 2010: 5 full courses in reserves 2 truncated courses in a city-edge resort 3 “toolbox” courses in reserves

2006 – 2010: 5 full courses in reserves 2 truncated courses in a city-edge resort 3 “toolbox” courses in reserves game rangers: camp management: game-drive stargazingcamp-based astronomy shows

FGASA etc: existing courses

Content: Part 1 - the mechanics of the sky

Content: Part 1 - the mechanics of the sky

Content: Part 2 - the content of the universe ESO/VLT

Content: Part 3 - folklore

Content: Part 4 - practicalities Orion telescopes Astronomical Society of Southern Africa

Content: Part 4 - practicalities Astrovisulas.com.au/Wil Tirion

Assessment goals: - estimation of RA and Dec of objects at night - use of charts to locate faint objects - rapid acquisition of these objects with telescope - entertaining with the constellations - entertaining with folklore - entertaining with modern astronomy Enable presenters to communicate with authority

Learning in the Kgalagadi

Outcomes:

The average ranger / guide will entertain ~ 500 people with the night sky per annum Since late 2006, about 50 rangers have been trained

Follow-up …..