SA astronomer is an international star

01 April 2016 - 16:04 By TMG Digital

Cape Town astronomer Kevin Govender and the International Astronomical Union have been awarded the 2016 Edinburgh Medal in recognition of their wide-reaching contribution to science.Govender and IAU president Silvia Torres-Peimbert were presented with the medal by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh‚ Donald Wilson‚ at the 2016 Edinburgh International Science Festival.The joint award acknowledges the creation and establishment of the Office of Astronomy for Development‚ headed by Govender at the South African Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town.The office integrates the pursuit of scientific knowledge with social development for and with those most in need. In partnership with the National Research Foundation and the Department of Science and Technology‚ it has harnessed astronomy in the service of global education and capacity building.The Edinburgh Medal is awarded annually to scientists and technologists whose professional achievements are judged to have contributed significantly to the understanding and well-being of humanity.“Besides its technological‚ scientific and cultural contributions‚ astronomy fundamentally gives us the perspective we need to change the world‚” Govender said.“Astronomy can make a difference because all things are linked to it – mathematics‚ physics‚ old stories and science. We want to encourage young children to study astronomy‚ but if people can’t understand the word itself‚ it will be difficult.“So we are using ancient stories that have been passed on through the generations in rural areas‚ for example."The Edinburgh Medal‚ made of sterling silver‚ is produced by Edinburgh firm Alexander Kirkwood & Son and features the original Edinburgh International Science Festival logo - a juggler performing with different symbols of science in the air...

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