The International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), in collaboration with South African scientific institutions will host a workshop to introduce the Planetary Defense Conference and pioneering research being conducted by the African astronomical community on asteroids and Near-Earth Objects (NEOs).

The workshop will be held on 3 May 2025 at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) in the Western Cape.

According to the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), the workshop aims to introduce local communications professionals and science writers to the Planetary Defense Conference and the pioneering research being conducted by the African astronomical community on asteroids and NEOs.

“Through this engagement, we seek to enhance public awareness and media coverage of Africa’s contributions to planetary defense,” the SAAO said.

In addition, the workshop will serve as a platform to introduce the media to the 2029 International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defense.

“The public’s curiosity on the topic of NEOs could help drive discussion and collaborative efforts to celebrate and promote this global initiative,” the statement read. 

Key speakers at the event will include Alex Karl, the Chair of the IAA organising committee, and Dr Nicolas Erasmus from the SAAO, where one of NASA’s Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) asteroid alert system telescopes is located.

The SAAO serves as the national centre for optical and infrared astronomy.