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arXiv · 2408.03385

Pan-African Asteroid Search Campaign: Africa's Contribution to Planetary Defense

Abstract

Asteroid search is a global effort for planetary defense. The International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC) is the leading global educational outreach program that provides high-quality astronomical datasets to citizen scientists to discover asteroids. Since December 4, 2020, the Pan-African Citizen Science e-Lab (PACS e-Lab) has been IASC's biggest partner on the continent in recruiting and training citizen scientists in asteroid search endeavors. Over 30 asteroids have been discovered by 60 citizen scientists. About 595 citizen scientists from over 40 countries have been engaged in the project up to the time of composing this literature. The group is set to expand its endeavors to the rest of the continent and aims to engage thousands of citizen scientists.

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Miracle Chibuzor Marcel, Kassamba Abdel Aziz Diaby, Meryem Guennoun, Betty Rose Nabifo, Mohamed Elattar, Andoniaina Rajaonarivelo, Privatus Pius, Molly Nkamogelang Kgobathe, Immanuel Luis, Sigrid Shilunga, Nejmeddine Etteyeb, Keketso Qhomane, Samuel Nyangi, Tresford Chilufya Kalunga, Nunes Alfredo Assano, Edson Domingos Jequecene, Mafuka Lusala Joseph, Esaenwi Sudum, Jorbedom Leelabari Gerald, Christopher Tombe Louis Gore, Kareem Waleed Hosny, Nagat Yasser, Jocelyn Franck, Mamoudou Kourouma, Baboucarr Bobb, Kebab Jaiteh, Salma Sylla, Hans Essone Obame, Dennis Kiyeng, Thobekile Sandra Ngwanw, Tawanda Kelvin Simon, Saja Alhoush Sulayman, Salma Regaibi, Souley Yahaya, Tengwi Mogou Ornela, Henry Sanderson Viyuyi, Fortune Tatenda Matambo, Matthias Asare-Darko, Christian Kontoa Koussouwa Gbaba, Moisés da Silva, Ntahompagaze Joseph, Gilberto Gomes, Bongiwe Portia Mkhabela, Bauleni Bvumbwe, Tshombe Nkhowani, Mawugnon Axel Gahou, Sarah Abotsi-Masters, René Simbizi, Salomon Mugisha, Ahmed Saeed, Mohammed Yahya Alradi Eldaw, Allen Thomas, Ben Abdallah ridha, Dieumerci kaseha, Sherine Ahmed El Baradei, Nahla Hazem Hussein, Bado Fabrice, Ngozika Frances Anekwe, Arvind Ramessur, Mohamed Ali Koroma, Harold Safary, Oosthuizen Leonardo, Mdumiseni Wisdom Dabulizwe Dlamini, Mamadou Mahamat Djabbi, Nonofo Angela, Mamaja Jalloh, Mamadou Balde, Joy Olayiwola, Elijah Ibharalu, Thierry Martial Tchangole, Kirubel Memberu, Lidia Dinsa, Chidozie Gospel Ezeakunne. 2024-08-06. Pan-African Asteroid Search Campaign: Africa's Contribution to Planetary Defense. https://arxiv.org/abs/2408.03385

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