“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.”― Carl Sagan
On January 29th, the UWC Astro group was delighted to host Prof. Ewine F. van Dishoeck from the Leiden Observatory. Prof van Dishoeck is a world-leading expert in the realm of molecular astrophysics, a field which brings chemistry, astronomy and physics together. The talk showcased the ingredients and recipes for the formation of celestial objects at a molecular level.
Apart from being a prestigious academic, Prof. Ewine F. van Dishoeck is also president of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) which oversees the global astronomical community in areas of professional research and education in astronomy. In her role as President, she also visited the Khayelitsha-based Molo Mhlaba school which, in collaboration with UWC Astro, coordinates the IAU-OAD funded Astro Molo Mhlaba project.