Annual Conference on High Energy Astrophysics in Southern Africa
HEASA 2023 was the tenth conference in the annual series "High Energy Astrophysics in Southern Africa". Its goal was to bring together scientists from the southern African region, the African continent, and around the world with an interest in high-energy astrophysical phenomena. Topics discussed included theoretical, multi-wavelength, and multi-messenger observational aspects of astrophysical sources (e.g. active galactic nuclei (AGNs), galaxy systems, gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), X-ray/gamma-ray binaries, supernovae and supernova remnants, neutron stars, pulsars and pulsar wind nebulae, cataclysmic variables (CVs)) as well as modern aspects of astro-particle physics.
HEASA 2023 was held during the period of 5 - 9 September 2023 as a hybrid conference in Mtunzini, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was sponsored by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa through the South African Gamma-Ray Astronomy Programme (SA-GAMMA).
Editorial Board
Markus Boettcher, North-West University, Markus.Bottcher@nwu.ac.za (Co-chair)
Soebur Razzaque, University of Johannesburg, srazzaque@uj.ac.za (Co-chair)
Michael Backes, University of Namibia, mbackes@unam.na
David Buckley, South African Astronomical Observatory, dibnob@saao.ac.za
Andrew Chen, University of the Witwatersrand, Andrew.Chen@wits.ac.za
Pieter Meintjes, University of the Free State, MeintjPJ@ufs.ac.za
HEASA 2022 was the ninth conference in the annual series "High Energy Astrophysics in
Southern Africa". Its goal was to bring together scientists from the southern African region, the
African continent, and around the world with an interest in high-energy astrophysical phenomena.
Topics discussed included theoretical, multi-wavelength, and multi-messenger observational
aspects of astrophysical sources (e.g. active galactic nuclei (AGNs), galaxy systems, gamma-ray
bursts (GRBs), X-ray/gamma-ray binaries, supernovae and supernova remnants, neutron stars,
pulsars and pulsar wind nebulae, cataclysmic variables (CVs)) as well as modern aspects of
astro-particle physics. HEASA 2022 was held during the period of 28 September – 01 October
2022, as a hybrid conference with 42 in person contributions, 9 remote talks and 9 posters. It
was sponsored by the Department of Science and Innovation and the National Research
Foundation of South Africa through the South African Gamma-Ray Astronomy Programme (SA-
GAMMA).
HEASA 2021 was the eighth conference in the annual series "High Energy Astrophysics in Southern Africa". Its goal was to bring together scientists from the southern African region, the African continent, and around the world with an interest in high-energy astrophysical phenomena. Topics discussed included theoretical, multi-wavelength, and multi-messenger observational aspects of astrophysical sources (e.g. active galactic nuclei (AGNs), galaxy systems, gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), X-ray/gamma-ray binaries, supernovae and supernova remnants, neutron stars, pulsars and pulsar wind nebulae, cataclysmic variables (CVs)) as well as modern aspects of astro-particle physics. HEASA 2021 was held during the period of 13-17 September, as an online conference with half-day sessions. In addition to invited, contributed, and poster presentations, recent Ph.D. graduates (Ph.D. thesis submitted after August 2019) may present an extended dissertation talk.
HEASA 2019 was the seventh conference in the annual series "High Energy Astrophysics in Southern Africa".
Its goal was to bring together scientists from the southern African region, the African continent, and around the world, with an interest in high-energy astrophysical phenomena. Topics discussed include theoretical and multi-wavelength and multi-messenger observational aspects of active galactic nuclei, galaxy systems, gamma-ray bursts, X-ray/gamma-ray binaries, supernovae and supernova remnants, neutron stars, pulsars and pulsar wind nebulae, cataclysmic variables, and modern aspects of astro-particle physics.
HEASA2019 was hosted by the University of Namibia and took place at the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Auditorium in Swakopmund, August 28 - 30, 2019. It was sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation of South Africa through the South African Gamma-Ray Astronomy Programme (SA-GAMMA) and the University of Namibias Office of the Pro-Vice Chancellor Research, Innovation and Development.
Conference website: https://fskbhe1.puk.ac.za/people/mboett/SAGAMMA/HEASA2019/HEASA2019.html
HEASA 2018 was the sixth conference in the annual series "High Energy Astrophysics in Southern Africa".
Its goal was to bring together scientists from the southern African region, the African continent, and around the world, with an interest in high-energy astrophysical phenomena. Topics discussed include theoretical and multi-wavelength and multi-messenger observational aspects of active galactic nuclei, galaxy systems, gamma-ray bursts, X-ray/gamma-ray binaries, supernovae and supernova remnants, neutron stars, pulsars and pulsar wind nebulae, cataclysmic variables, and modern aspects of astro-particle physics.
HEASA 2018 was hosted by North-West University, Potchefstroom, and took place at the resort Stonehenge in Africa near Parys, Free State, August 1 - 3, 2018. It was sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation of South Africa through the South African Gamma-Ray Astronomy Programme (SA-GAMMA).
HEASA 2017 is the fifth conference in the annual series "High Energy Astrophysics in Southern Africa". Its goal is to bring together scientists from the southern African region, the African continent, and around the world, with an interest in high-energy astrophysical phenomena. Topics discussed include gravitational wave astrophysics, cosmology, theoretical astrophysics, multi-wavelength and multi-messenger observational aspects of active galactic nuclei, galaxy systems, gamma-ray bursts, X-ray/gamma-ray binaries, supernovae and supernova remnants, neutron stars, pulsars and pulsar wind nebulae, cataclysmic variables, and modern aspects of astro-particle physics.
HEASA 2016 is the fourth conference in the annual series "High Energy Astrophysics in Southern Africa". Its goal is to bring together scientists from the southern African region, the African continent, and around the world, with an interest in high-energy astrophysical phenomena. Topics discussed include theoretical, multi-wavelength and multi-messenger observational aspects of active galactic nuclei, galaxy systems, gamma-ray bursts, X-ray/gamma-ray binaries, supernovae and supernova remnants, neutron stars, pulsars and pulsar wind nebulae, cataclysmic variables, and modern aspects of astro-particle physics.
Neil Gehrels (b. October 3, 1952, d. February 6, 2017)
We are deeply saddened that Neil Gehrels, a pioneer in gamma-ray astronomy and an invited speaker at HEASA 2016, passed away on February 6, 2017 at his home in Maryland, USA. Neil was well known for his leadership role in space-based gamma-ray observatories, especially as the Project Scientist of NASA’s Swift mission. He also lent support to many ground-based robotic optical telescopes across the world to promptly follow up on gamma-ray bursts and other transient events.
Neil accepted immediately when he was invited to give a talk at the HEASA 2016 conference in Cape Town. We are very fortunate indeed that he managed to travel to South Africa and give a wonderful talk. His absence will be felt dearly among the space-based astronomy community as well as ground-based transient follow-up communities across the world. This is indeed a great loss for us.
