Scientists urge Kenya to fast track development of astronomical observatory

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-08 00:58:21|Editor: Chengcheng

NAIROBI, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Scientists meeting in Kenya's capital city Nairobi, on Thursday urged the country to fast track development of an astronomical observatory in order to boost the country's technological progress, officials said on Thursday.

David Buckley, senior astronomer from South Africa Astronomical Observatory, said that Kenya occupies a unique geographical area for astronomy on the equator but has no existing observatory.

. . .

Paul Baki, head of physics and space science at the Technical University of Kenya said that the country's Northwest region around the Lake Turkana is an ideal location for an astronomical observatory because of its unusually low cloud coverage.

"This dry area on the equator gives access to more than 85 percent of the sky in both northern and southern celestial hemispheres," Baki said.

More:
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-02/08/c_137805396.htm

Holy smokes! Here are some images of the terrain around Lake Turkana:

https://tinyurl.com/y74gzytm

[Duppers]

1. Wow! More than 85% access to both hemispheres.

Hope they can do it.