Zara Randriamanakoto Quotes

On the research side, I study young massive star clusters hosted by interacting galaxies and burning ring galaxies to study the effect of the environment on the formation and evolution mechanisms of these proto-clusters. I also search for dying and restarted radio galaxies using LOFAR and MeerKAT to better understand the life cycle of radio galaxies.

Not specifically for African women, but for most women in this field and any other STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) related field: gender stereotypes and the inability to break the glass ceiling.

Although my research work is currently based in South Africa, I have also been supervising M2 students in astrophysics at the University of Antananarivo since 2017.

Doing astronomy is like investing. It is a science that promotes innovation, an essential ingredient for the sustainable development of a country.

The reality is that astronomy is a long-term investment, and although its benefits might not always be evident it has significant impact in many ways.

To study astronomy astronomers need to look deep into the sky. This requires specialized equipment, techniques and skills. Eventually, modified versions of these tools and their way into our daily lives, such as in the manufacture of wireless network protocols (Wi-Fi), closed-circuit television and mobile phone cameras.

I am a research astronomer at SAAO. My research interests revolve around multiwavelength observations of interacting and collisional ring galaxies to help investigate the formation and evolution mechanisms of young massive clusters. I also work on radio loud AGN to study the AGN duty cycle using deep radio continuum surveys.

Nothing predestined me to become an astronomer. I moved to Antananarivo for my university studies at the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Antananarivo. I obtained a master's degree in energy physics from the physics department in 2007.

The main challenges I encountered were the language barriers (switching from French to English), exposure to a diverse culture in South Africa and especially adapting to the new educational system at the University of Cape Townbwhich required a lot of self-learning, self-discipline and perseverance.

It is the IAU that has the power to say what a planet is and that decided to place Pluto in another category, that of dwarf planets. I told myself that for Madagascar to be on the world map of astronomy, we had to join such an institution

I am often asked why I study astronomy and how useful it is in our daily lives. The reality is that astronomy is a long-term investment, and although its benefits might not always be evident it has significant impact in many ways.