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ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL. Department of Science and Technology Scientia Campus Meiring Naude Road Tshwane 0001. ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE PROGRAMME (AGAP). AGAP:A 10-year Strategic Outlook (to be finalised in 2007)
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ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL Department of Science and Technology Scientia Campus Meiring Naude Road Tshwane 0001 June 2007
ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE PROGRAMME (AGAP) • AGAP:A 10-year Strategic Outlook (to be finalised in 2007) • Steer knowledge production, publication, transmission and preservation • Strategy should be focused and aim for greater efficiency to collectively advance research • Provide framework for critical mass development • Increase visibility of scientific research June 2007
AGAP MULTI-WAVELENGTH RESEARCH • Southern African Large Telescope – Northern Cape, RSA • High Energy Stereoscopic System – Namibia • Karoo Array Telescope/SKA – Northern Cape, RSA HESS SALT SKA The Electromagnetic spectrum Increasing Energy or Frequency June 2007
ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL The Purpose • Protect Astronomy investments already made in South Africa • Maintain an environment for a global astronomy hub that will continue to attract international investments • Create a competitive edge for South Africa to win the bid to host the SKA • Attract Astronomy investments which may include C-BASS (C-Band All-Sky Survey) and DSN (Deep Space Network) Array June 2007
ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL The Process (1) • AGA Bill presented to Cabinet in Nov 2005 and approved for a public consultation process • Consultations started in early 2006 and the following stakeholders have been approached: • i. Government departments and public sector entities • ii. National operators • iii. Key partners June 2007
CONSULTATIONS ON THE AGA BILL • Comments requested from (comments receivedfrom those in green): • DoC, DoD, DME, DPE, DPLG, DoT & DTI • Northern Cape Province • ICASA, CAA & SAPS • ATNS, ESKOM, Sentech, Telkom & Transnet • Cell-C, MTN,SNO/Neotel & Vodacom June 2007
ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL The Process (2) • Amendments to the AGA Bill presented to Cabinet in Nov 2006 and approved for tabling to Parliament • A communications strategy on the positive impact of the Bill is developed as part broader Astronomy communication plan in partnership with the NC Government June 2007
ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL • CATEGORIES OF ADVANTAGE AREAS • Core • Central • Co-ordinated June 2007
ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL • CORE ADVANTAGE AREAS • Where an astronomy device is located or may be situated in future June 2007
ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL • CORE ADVANTAGE AREAS • Where an astronomy device is located or may be situated in future • CENTRAL ADVANTAGE AREAS • To protect the core from immediate surroundings negative • Interference on astronomy devices June 2007
ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHIC ADVANTAGE BILL • CORE ADVANTAGE AREAS • Where an astronomy device is located or may be situated in future • CENTRAL ADVANTAGE AREAS • To protect the core from immediate surroundings negative • Interference on astronomy devices • CORDINATED ADVANTAGE AREAS • Regulate the area(s) as buffer zones for the protection of Central and core advantage areas June 2007
COORDINATED AND CENTRAL ADVANTAGE AREAS Co-ordination zone Established to prevent high powered broadcast transmitters from negatively impacting the core zone June 2007
CHAPTER 2: DECLARATION OF ASTRONOMY ADVANTAGE AREAS • Minister may declare an astronomy advantage area • Minister may withdraw or exclude an astronomy advantage area June 2007
BROADCASTING & TELECOMUNICATIONS IMPACT • ● Radio astronomy instruments in remote sparsely populated areas • i. To minimise overall impact • ● FM not affected in all areas • ●Single channel analogue television transmissions with high power and from high sites • Effectively replaced with multi-channel low power municipal relay transmitters • Will be migrated to digital technology (low power local transmissions) • All broadcasting services are available from satellite (already digital) • ●Point-to-point and point-to-multipoint telecommunication stations for public and private communication systems • Re-engineering can be done to reduce interference in the direction of the radio astronomy instrument • Alternative technologies can be usable June 2007
CHAPTER 3: MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF CENTRAL AND CORE ASTRONOMY ADVANTAGE AREA • Management Authorities (Section 15) • Minister must declare the assignment of the management of core astronomy advantage area to a suitable person/organization or organ of state • Restrictions in core astronomy advantage area • Declared activities in a core or central astronomy advantage area • Authorization to undertake identified activities June 2007
CHAPTER 4: GENERAL MEASURES TO PROMOTE ASTRONOMY • Astronomy and Astronomy devices • International agreements regarding astronomy and related scientific endeavors • National Standards for control of activities which may be detrimental to astronomy. June 2007
CHAPTER 5- Acquisition of rights in or to land CHAPTER6- Consultation and public participation CHAPTER 7- Powers and functions of the NRF CHAPTER 8- Offences and penalties June 2007