As part of their OAD funded project, “Australia’s Cultural Night Sky: Culture, Creativity and Community at Lake Ballard, Western Australia“, Dr John Goldsmith in collaboration with Koya Aboriginal Corporation developed a festival exhibit “A Cosmos of Languages”. The exhibit was presented as part of the Denmark Arts Festival, Western Australia’s longest running community arts festival. […]
Astronomy not only explores the universe but promotes, among others, gender equity, mental well-being, entrepreneurship, employment, and skills development. A new article published in Nature Astronomy underscores how the exploration of the universe is not only scientifically compelling but also socially and economically beneficial. The comment titled “Astronomy as a strategic driver for sustainable development” […]
The OAD is excited to welcome Azasiwe Mancwatela, who joined the team as in May 2025. Originally from Durban, Azasiwe brings a background in microeconomics research and data analysis, recently completing a Master of Commerce in Economics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Passionate about using data to tell meaningful stories, she has a […]
Astronomy is not only about studying the universe; it also drives innovation that can address some of society’s most pressing challenges. Techniques originally developed for exploring our universe can be adapted for real-world applications, from disaster response to environmental monitoring. By leveraging astronomical data analysis, machine learning, and sensor networks, we can better predict, understand, […]
OAD Deputy Director, Dr Charles Takalana, was recently interviewed by a high school student on his journey in astronomy. 1. What inspired you to pursue a career in astronomy? Was there a specific event or moment that sparked your interest? My fascination with astronomy began in childhood. I was a naturally curious child, captivated by […]






