PASEA 2026 – Pan-African School for Emerging Astronomers

About PASEA

PASEA is a course scheduled for 14–18 September 2026 at North-West University Centre for Space Research, Potchefstroom, South Africa. The 2026 PASEA course in Potchefstroom brings astronomy and planetary science, observations and scientific data, research methods and modelling and instrumentation and missions together rather than treating them as separate subjects. The 2026 PASEA course in Potchefstroom uses a learning-led format designed around specialist teaching, guided discussion and contact with the field’s research community. This format gives students and early-career researchers a practical way to compare technical priorities, current applications and the organisations active at the 2026 PASEA course in Potchefstroom. For the 2026 PASEA course in Potchefstroom, the connection between astronomy and planetary science and observations and scientific data is central: one establishes the primary subject, while the other shows how that work is developed, tested or applied. The 2026 PASEA course in Potchefstroom also places research methods and modelling beside instrumentation and missions, making the interfaces between research, engineering, policy and delivery easier to follow.

Event history and organiser

The 2026 PASEA course in Potchefstroom forms part of a continuing event series. For the 2026 PASEA course in Potchefstroom, IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD) is the organiser and publishes the information used to plan attendance. Across this series, the stable thread for the 2026 PASEA course in Potchefstroom is attention to astronomy and planetary science, observations and scientific data and research methods and modelling; dates, venues and programme details are set for each individual meeting. Continuity for the 2026 PASEA course in Potchefstroom comes from its specialist community and subject focus, not from repeating an identical agenda from one meeting to the next. The 2026 PASEA course in Potchefstroom meeting at North-West University Centre for Space Research, Potchefstroom, South Africa gives the series a specific host-city and venue context while retaining its established professional purpose.

Topics and themes

The PASEA Potchefstroom course connects its core subjects through the course format, showing how specialist work moves between research, engineering, policy and practical use.

• Astronomy and planetary science: At the PASEA Potchefstroom course, this theme establishes the main technical context and links it with observations and scientific data in current projects and professional practice.
• Observations and scientific data: PASEA Potchefstroom course sessions help participants understand how observations and scientific data depends on research methods and modelling, shared methods and informed technical decisions.
• Research methods and modelling: The PASEA Potchefstroom course uses this subject to connect specialist evidence with instrumentation and missions and the organisations responsible for delivery.
• Instrumentation and missions: Work at the PASEA Potchefstroom course focuses on the constraints, methods and applications that shape instrumentation and missions, including its relationship with international research collaboration.

Who should attend?

The principal audience for the 2026 PASEA course in Potchefstroom is students and early-career researchers, university lecturers and research mentors. In Potchefstroom, these groups can use the course to place astronomy and planetary science beside observations and scientific data and identify the programme areas closest to their responsibilities. Scientific institutions bring a complementary perspective where their work intersects with the professional community at the 2026 PASEA course in Potchefstroom. Space-science educators may also find a strong fit in Potchefstroom sessions addressing research methods and modelling. The 2026 PASEA course in Potchefstroom is less suited to people seeking unrelated general-interest content because its value comes from a defined focus on astronomy and planetary science.

Practical information

PASEA is scheduled for 14–18 September 2026 at North-West University Centre for Space Research, Potchefstroom, South Africa. Before attending PASEA Potchefstroom course, use the official event site to confirm the final programme, daily timings, registration status and venue access. Travel planning for PASEA Potchefstroom course should include current transport and accommodation checks, particularly where the venue is outside the city centre or uses controlled access.