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This programme aims to steer knowledge production and increase efficiency in research for the advancement of Southern African astronomy. The AGAP Bill seeks to protect existing investments, maintain South Africa's status as a global astronomy hub, and enhance its competitiveness for hosting projects like the SKA. Consultations with various stakeholders led to the development and approval of the Bill for Parliament, outlining core, central, and coordinated advantage areas. Further discussions cover management and control measures for astronomy advantage areas and general strategies to promote astronomy nationally and internationally.
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ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL Department of Science and Technology Scientia Campus Meiring Naude Road Tshwane 0001 June 2007
ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE PROGRAMME (AGAP) • AGAP:A 10-year Strategic Outlook (to be finalised in 2007) • Steer knowledge production, publication, transmission and preservation • Strategy should be focused and aim for greater efficiency to collectively advance research • Provide framework for critical mass development • Increase visibility of scientific research June 2007
AGAP MULTI-WAVELENGTH RESEARCH • Southern African Large Telescope – Northern Cape, RSA • High Energy Stereoscopic System – Namibia • Karoo Array Telescope/SKA – Northern Cape, RSA HESS SALT SKA The Electromagnetic spectrum Increasing Energy or Frequency June 2007
ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL The Purpose • Protect Astronomy investments already made in South Africa • Maintain an environment for a global astronomy hub that will continue to attract international investments • Create a competitive edge for South Africa to win the bid to host the SKA • Attract Astronomy investments which may include C-BASS (C-Band All-Sky Survey) and DSN (Deep Space Network) Array June 2007
ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL The Process (1) • AGA Bill presented to Cabinet in Nov 2005 and approved for a public consultation process • Consultations started in early 2006 and the following stakeholders have been approached: • i. Government departments and public sector entities • ii. National operators • iii. Key partners June 2007
CONSULTATIONS ON THE AGA BILL • Comments requested from (comments receivedfrom those in green): • DoC, DoD, DME, DPE, DPLG, DoT & DTI • Northern Cape Province • ICASA, CAA & SAPS • ATNS, ESKOM, Sentech, Telkom & Transnet • Cell-C, MTN,SNO/Neotel & Vodacom June 2007
ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL The Process (2) • Amendments to the AGA Bill presented to Cabinet in Nov 2006 and approved for tabling to Parliament • A communications strategy on the positive impact of the Bill is developed as part broader Astronomy communication plan in partnership with the NC Government June 2007
ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL • CATEGORIES OF ADVANTAGE AREAS • Core • Central • Co-ordinated June 2007
ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL • CORE ADVANTAGE AREAS • Where an astronomy device is located or may be situated in future June 2007
ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL • CORE ADVANTAGE AREAS • Where an astronomy device is located or may be situated in future • CENTRAL ADVANTAGE AREAS • To protect the core from immediate surroundings negative • Interference on astronomy devices June 2007
ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL • CORE ADVANTAGE AREAS • Where an astronomy device is located or may be situated in future • CENTRAL ADVANTAGE AREAS • To protect the core from immediate surroundings negative • Interference on astronomy devices • CORDINATED ADVANTAGE AREAS • Regulate the area(s) as buffer zones for the protection of Central and core advantage areas June 2007
COORDINATED AND CENTRAL ADVANTAGE AREAS Co-ordination zone Established to prevent high powered broadcast transmitters from negatively impacting the core zone June 2007
CHAPTER 2: DECLARATION OF ASTRONOMY ADVANTAGE AREAS • Minister may declare an astronomy advantage area • Minister may withdraw or exclude an astronomy advantage area June 2007
BROADCASTING & TELECOMUNICATIONS IMPACT • ● Radio astronomy instruments in remote sparsely populated areas • i. To minimise overall impact • ● FM not affected in all areas • ●Single channel analogue television transmissions with high power and from high sites • Effectively replaced with multi-channel low power municipal relay transmitters • Will be migrated to digital technology (low power local transmissions) • All broadcasting services are available from satellite (already digital) • ●Point-to-point and point-to-multipoint telecommunication stations for public and private communication systems • Re-engineering can be done to reduce interference in the direction of the radio astronomy instrument • Alternative technologies can be usable June 2007
CHAPTER 3: MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF CENTRAL AND CORE ASTRONOMY ADVANTAGE AREA • Management Authorities (Section 15) • Minister must declare the assignment of the management of core astronomy advantage area to a suitable person/organization or organ of state • Restrictions in core astronomy advantage area • Declared activities in a core or central astronomy advantage area • Authorization to undertake identified activities June 2007
CHAPTER 4: GENERAL MEASURES TO PROMOTE ASTRONOMY • Astronomy and Astronomy devices • International agreements regarding astronomy and related scientific endeavors • National Standards for control of activities which may be detrimental to astronomy. June 2007
CHAPTER 5- Acquisition of rights in or to land CHAPTER6- Consultation and public participation CHAPTER 7- Powers and functions of the NRF CHAPTER 8- Offences and penalties June 2007
