AMAS Vice-President Awarded the Student MSc Prize at "The General Assembly & 5th Annual Conference of the African Astronomical Society"

The award was given for her work titled "SolarKAT: A Solar Imaging Pipeline for MeerKAT," which proposes new strategies to mitigate solar interference in radio astronomy observations. Instead of discarding data affected by the Sun — which would reduce the sensitivity and quality of the images — the research developed innovative techniques to preserve it, optimizing scientific analysis. Beyond its impact on astronomical observations, solar interference also affects the telecommunications, navigation, and power grid sectors. For example, solar radiation can disrupt radio and satellite signals, affecting the quality of mobile and satellite communications. Mitigation strategies like those developed in SolarKAT could be adapted to improve signal reception during periods of high solar activity. Additionally, the solar images generated by SolarKAT can be used for space weather forecasting, enabling better monitoring of solar activity and helping to mitigate impacts on sensitive technological infrastructure. Monitoring and developing solutions for these challenges is a global need, and techniques like the one developed can be applied across these sectors, making this work highly innovative. This international recognition highlights the potential and excellence of research conducted in Africa and reinforces the importance of funding and access to resources to advance science on the African continent, especially in developing countries. Congratulations, Victória! This is a milestone not only in your career, but also for astronomy and science in Mozambique and across Africa. May this be just the first of many achievements! And may it inspire other Mozambicans. Find the thesis here: https://vital.seals.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:76573?site_name=GlobalView