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arXiv · 2408.11059

Pan-African Citizen Science e-Lab: An Emerging Online Platform for Astronomy Research, Education and Outreach in Africa

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
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Abstract

Citizen science offers an opportunity for ordinary people, known as citizen scientists or citizen astronomers in the context of astronomy, to contribute to scientific research. The Pan-African Citizen Science e-Lab (PACS e-Lab) was founded to promote and engage the African public in citizen science and soft astronomy research to advance space research and exploration and enhance space education and outreach. PACS e-Lab, in collaboration with several international astronomy research, education, and outreach organizations, currently runs several projects including but not limited to asteroid search, exoplanet photometry, research writing for peer-reviewed publications, astrophoto visual development, and Amateur Radio contact with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ARISS). Despite several challenges, the group has engaged over 600 Africans from more than 40 countries and is working towards covering the entire continent in the future. PACS e-Lab's development efforts resonate with seven United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs).

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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 Citizen Science e-Lab: An Emerging Online Platform for Astronomy Research, Education and Outreach in Africa. https://arxiv.org/abs/2408.11059

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