Speaker
Prof.
Patrick Woudt
(University of Cape Town)
Description
I will present a brief overview of optical astronomy in South Africa in the context of the multi-wavelength astronomy strategy of South Africa. I will focus on the role of optical astronomy in support of radio and gamma-ray observations, and highlight the new and unique MeerLICHT optical telescope which will provide a real-time view at optical wavelengths of the MeerKAT radio sky. By exclusively linking MeerLICHT to MeerKAT, we will, for the first time ever, provide optical multi-band observations of every night-time observation conducted by a radio telescope, ensuring that every transient in the field of view will be simultaneously covered in the radio and the optical.
