Namibian participation in the H.E.S.S. observatory 2019-2021

我们建议大大增加东道国对设在纳米比亚的世界领先伽马射线观测站--高能立体系统的参与。纳米比亚大学(UNAM)将在两名博士后的领导下，在一名电子工程师的支持下，开展一项关于活动星系中相对论喷流物理的研究方案，该方案将承担相当大的观测站业务和科学份额。这将使UNAM小组在超高能(VHE)天体物理领域具有全球竞争力，并将通过增加其对H.E.S.天体物理计划的参与而为英国带来次要的科学利益。该项目特别及时，因为纳米比亚当局最近宣布，包括天文学在内的空间科学是促进国家社会经济发展的优先研究领域，目前正在计划在今后3-5年内将该望远镜的所有权移交给纳米比亚。该项目的发展方面源于以下方面的能力建设：如纳米比亚当局所愿，扩大大学物理系的规模和能力，并由博士后开展具体的有针对性的活动，以保证在高中教育和旅游业方面产生短期影响。

We propose to significantly increase host-country participation in the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.), the world-leading gamma-ray observatory sited in Namibia. Undertaking a research programme on the physics of relativistic jets in active galaxies, led by two postdocs and with telescope operations and development supported by an electronic engineer, the University of Namibia (UNAM) will take on a sizeable share of observatory operations and science. This will allow the UNAM group to become globally competitive in the field of very-high-energy (VHE) astrophysics, and will have a secondary science benefit for the UK of increasing its participation in H.E.S.S. astrophysics programmes. The project is particularly timely as the Namibian authorities have recently declared space science including astronomy a Priority Research Area for national socio-economic advancement, and plans are underway for ownership of the H.E.S.S. telescopes to be transferred to Namibia over the next 3-5 years. The development aspects of the project arise from the capacity-building that will follow from growing the size and capabilities of the physics department at UNAM, as desired by the Namibian authorities, along with specific targeted activities by the postdocs that will guarantee short-term impact, in high-school education and tourism.