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Ethiopia joins the Space race – unveils East Africa’s largest observatory
(AFP) – Ethiopia unveiled last Friday the first phase of a space exploration program, which includes East Africa’s largest observatory designed to promote astronomy research in the region.
“The optical astronomical telescope is mainly intended for astronomy and astrophysics observation research,” said observatory director Solomon Belay.
The observatory, which was to formally be opened over the weekend, boasts two telescopes, each one meter (three feet) wide, to see “extra planets, different types of stars, the Milky Way, and deep galaxies,” Belay added.
The US$3.4 million dollar observatory, run by the Ethiopian Space Science Society (ESSS), is partly funded by Ethiopian billionaire Mohammed Alamoudi.
The observatory, 3,200 meters (10,500 feet) above sea level in the lush Entoto mountains on the outskirts of the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, is an ideal location because of its minimal cloud cover, moderate winds and low humidity, experts said.
When established in 2004, the Ethiopian Space Science Society was labelled as the “Crazy People’s Club”, according to the group, but has gained credibility in the past decade with astronomy courses introduced at universities and winning increased political support.
The Ethiopian government is set to launch a space policy in coming years.
