In a relatively rare occurrence, three African-born women have together published breakthrough research in the field of space physics.

A study by Dr Judy Stephenson, Dr Zama Katamzi-Joseph and Ms Tsige Atilaw titled: Multitaper Analysis of an MSTID Event Above Antarctica on 17 March, 2013, has been published in the peer-reviewed journal Polar Science.

Their research is focused on the analysis of an Medium-Scale Travelling Ionospheric Disturbance (MSTID) event they observed simultaneously from both SANAE and Halley SuperDARN radars located in Antarctica. Their analysis employed a multiple windowing method, also known as the Multitapering method, which is a sophisticated spectral technique. Their publication includes the first estimation of energy dissipation by Joule heating due to an MSTID event.

Stephenson, who was born in Malawi, holds a PhD in Atmospheric/Solar Physics from UKZN. She is currently a full time research associate and data manager for the South African SuperDARN radar at UKZN where she supervises postgraduate students and is also a Magnetospheric Physics lecturer.

South African Katamzi-Joseph, who holds a PhD in Ionospheric Physics from Bath University in the United Kingdom, is currently a researcher at the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) as well as a research associate at Rhodes University and a lecturer in Ionospheric Physics at UKZN.

Atilaw, who was born in Ethiopia, is currently pursuing her PhD in Magnetospheric Physics through Rhodes University.

Stephenson and her co-authors used the SuperDARN radars at SANAE and Halley base to observe a Travelling Ionospheric Disturbances (TID) event for their research.  SuperDARN is an acronym for a network of radars which form one of the most important international experiments in space physics. These radars receive returns from within the ionosphere, the layer of the earth’s atmosphere which contains a high concentration of ions and free electrons and is able to reflect radio waves. In the polar regions, the ionosphere acts like a screen onto which space weather phenomena are projected. This is due to the unique configuration of the Earth’s magnetic field in these locations. When the data from the 35 or so SuperDARN radars are combined, space weather maps over both north and south polar regions can be created. Furthermore, each individual radar can also observe smaller scale phenomena, such as TIDs, which are wave-like structures of electron density enhancements – basically ripples in the ionosphere caused by some disturbance.

The data the researchers collected from the radars is of sufficient quality both in time and space as it allowed them to calculate quite accurately the wavelength and velocity of the TID. By using sophisticated spectral analysis of the radar data combined with neutral wind models, they were able to make an estimate of the energy dissipated by the TID as the TID wave ‘broke’ in the ionosphere. It was estimated to have an upper limit of 55 kW, which is more or less the energy required to boil a kettle 20 times. This is the first published estimate that the researchers know of and makes TIDs a significant energy transporter.

‘The disturbance, or source, of the TID can be external to the earth’s atmospheric layers as is the case when an active Sun induces currents in the ionosphere,’ said Stephenson. ‘The heating input by these currents can cause an instability to be set up, in this case, a TID. Or, the source may come from below the ionosphere, in the form of atmospheric gravity waves which are set up by winds passing over obstacles such as mountain ranges or sudden heating in the neutral atmosphere from the onset of solar radiation. This energy estimation implies that TIDs are a key component in understanding and assessing the global climate as TIDs play a critical role in atmospheric dynamics. In particular, they significantly affect global circulation through their ability to transport and redistribute energy and momentum vertically through the different layers of the atmosphere and horizontally across the globe.’

Stephenson said in addition it was well known that TIDs also posed a potential problem for the world, in high, and ultra-high, frequency band communication. ‘More so they can have a negative impact on communication with satellites. The distortion of the signal can cause satellite communication problems and GPS positioning errors.

‘The study of TIDS has a twofold relevance within the space physics field due to the fact that they affect the accuracy of the navigation and communication systems that depend on the ionosphere for propagation and due to their role in global energy distribution.’

The co-authors noted that a better understanding of the ionosphere, such as irregular change in the electron density caused by TIDs, would lead to better ionospheric model predictions, which in turn help to minimise ionospheric errors in communication and accuracy in global energy budgets.

Source: Nicole Chidzawo

The Centre for World University Rankings (CWUR) has released its 2021-22 Global 2000 List. The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) features as one of the top 2.5% universities out of 19,788 worldwide. This puts UKZN in fourth place in South Africa and Africa.

The Center for World University Rankings – which publishes the largest academic rankings of global universities – is a leading consulting organisation providing policy advice, strategic insights, and consulting services to governments and universities to improve educational and research outcomes. CWUR publishes authoritative global university rankings, known for objectivity, transparency, and consistency, which are trusted by students, academics, university administrators, and governments from around the world.

The rankings are unique in that:

* Objective indicators are used for all four key pillars underlying the methodology of the ranking (quality of education, alumni employment, quality of faculty, and research performance) with no reliance on surveys and university data submissions;

* Equal emphasis is put on the learning environment and research; and
* 19,788 universities are ranked according to their academic performance.

Professor Mosa Moshabela, DVC: Research (Acting) welcomed the latest CWUR which he said “as usual” confirm the University’s continued position as a leading research-intensive University in Africa and the world. “Whilst there are many other attributes that characterise UKZN as a top University in Africa, and yet not considered by the CWUR, it is always a pleasure to see how we perform as an institution relative to our peers nationally and globally. It is in this light that we view the latest CWUR, and appreciate that we remain among the top Universities in South Africa, Africa and the world. We shall endeavour to keep striving for excellence, increased growth and greater impact of this University as we journey together in the 21^st Century,” he said, adding that UKZN could not have achieved this latest feat without the immense and tireless contribution from its academics and students who drive the institution’s research outputs, as well as the resulting scientific and societal impact. “The alumni community of UKZN plays a major role in influencing the standing of the University nationally and internationally, and we are very grateful for their continued support long after they have left the institution. May all who support and remain part of UKZN continue to do as such so as that we can ensure the success and sustainability of this University,” he said.

Dr Nadim Mahassen, Center for World University Rankings President congratulated the University, saying: “This is an outstanding achievement. Congratulations.”

For detailed information on the rankings, visit www.cwur.org

Issued by:

Normah Zondo

Acting Executive Director : Corporate Relations

For further information please contact:

Indu Moodley, Media Liaison Officer on 031 260 7213 / 083 555 9508 or at moodleyi@ukzn.ac.za

The MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship, launched in 2009, recognises exemplary university student civic engagement programs worldwide. The prize is sponsored jointly by the MacJannet Foundation and The Talloires Network. The Talloires Network is the global authority on university community engagement.

Rhodes University is the first South African university to win first place for this prestigious prize! Out of a global association of 388 universities in 77 countries on six continents, all committed to developing student leaders who are actively engaged with society. In the past, our sister universities, WITS won (3rd place in 2014) and NWU (2nd place in 2012), respectively. It is a HUGE achievement and great recognition of the collective work that makes the Nine-Tenths programme happen.

The Nine-Tenths was one of the first initiatives implemented as a targeted programme for student volunteer mentorship. The mentors guided local learners through nine structured sessions to equip learners to pass to their full potential. The Nine-Tenths programme was conceptualised and launched in 2016 and is now in its sixth year.

Nine-Tenths is co-managed by the Rhodes University Community Engagement Division (RUCE), local high schools and a local Non-profit Organisation, GADRA Education. Programme responsibilities are carried out in a participatory manner by each partner based on their skillset and resources.

The Nine-Tenths aims to:

· Alleviate the poor national school dropout rate, increase the Makhanda pass rate, and increase access to higher education institutions (and other post-school opportunities) for local students.

· Contribute to Rhodes University students’ holistic development and character building as socially engaged and critical citizens.

· Create a successful, replicable model to address a common crisis nationally.

· Cultivate mutually beneficial relationships between mentors and mentees, which serve to embed Rhodes University in its local context and build the Makhanda community.

· Build community engagement as an academic discipline.

Source:  Diana Hornby – RUCE