Africa Millimetre Telescope

Duration: 2019 until 2029
Project member(s): Prof. H.D.E. Falcke (Heino) Dr M. Klein Wolt (Marc) A. Ampe (Annelies) , Dr. Michael Backes, senior lecturer UNAM, co-PI AMT , Hans-Werner Matthaei, Local PM Namibia , Michael Janssen , Sera Markoff , Rob Fender
Project type: Research
Organisation: Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics, Astrophysics

The first ever picture of a black hole was a ground breaking scientific accomplishment. However, to secure long-term future science observations, a crucial piece is missing: a millimetre-wave radio telescope in Africa. Astronomers from Radboud University have teamed up with the University of Namibia to realize such a telescope: the Africa Millimetre Telescope.

The Africa Millimetre Telescope (AMT) project aims to establish a state-of-the-art millimetre-wavelength astronomical observatory on the African continent, placing Namibia at the forefront of global millimetre-wave astronomy while promoting regional scientific capacity. The AMT is an international collaboration led by Radboud University in partnership with the University of Namibia, Oxford University, the University of Amsterdam, and other institutions such as the University of Groningen and ASTRON.

Why

The main purpose of the Africa Millimetre Telescope (AMT) is to provide an essential link to the network of telescopes around the globe known as the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) which has produced the historic first - ever picture of a black hole. With this ground breaking accomplishment, the EHT presented the direct evidence for the existence of black holes, Einstein's theory of general relativity was correct. This represents a major scientific breakthrough!

The AMT will also contribute to high-resolution imaging of cosmic phenomena, including black holes, active galactic nuclei, and other dynamic astrophysical events. The telescope will enable rapid-response observations of transient phenomena, supporting the "colour movies" initiative under the BlackHolistic (European Research Council) grant. In addition to operating as part of Very-Long-Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) networks, the AMT will also function as a standalone Namibian telescope, enabling diverse scientific research.

Africa as a missing link

For the future of black hole research, more telescopes are needed in the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) network. A telescope in Southern Africa will improve the quality of the image and make the EHT network more stable. The EHT network functions as a virtual telescope the size of the earth and its imaging quality is comparable to photographing an apple on the Moon from Earth. The effectiveness of the EHT network depends on the number of telescopes that are looking at the target at the same time and their location relative to each other. The more connections that are possible between these telescopes, the better the image quality, the longer the separation of these telescopes, the better the resolution.

The existing telescope that will be refurbished

Telescope specifications

The AMT has been designed as a 13 to 15-meter single-dish telescope that will operate at millimetre wavelengths. A new telescope will be procured and installed in Namibia where it will be operated and maintained by Namibian engineers.

The telescope will provide wide frequency coverage, from 8 GHz up to 345 GHz. It will utilize the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) band-type receivers with a dedicated front-end design that allows simultaneous observation in up to four ALMA bands:

ALMA Band 1: 31.3 - 45 GHz
ALMA Band 2: 67 - 90 GHz
ALMA Band 6: 211-275 GHz
ALMA Band 7: 275-373 GHz

The system will be remotely operable to ensure cost-efficient operations.

Current status and key decisions

Site Selection:

The 2350 m high Gamsberg plateau has been chosen for optimal observing conditions and remains the primary site objective for a second phase in the project. However, in the first phase of the AMT project the telescope is planned to be initially installed close to Namibia’s H.E.S.S. gamma-ray observatory site.

Transition Plan:

In the second phase of the project, the AMT telescope will move from H.E.S.S. to Gamsberg once the necessary infrastructure, including road access, is completed. This transition depends on securing additional funding for site development.

Telescope Design:

The AMT will consist of a robotically operated 13-15 m dish optimized for 86–350 GHz frequencies, capable of observing down to 8 GHz. It will integrate into VLBI arrays, including EHT and future lower frequency VLBI observations on the African continent together with the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).

Governance:

The project is led by a board representing all partner institutions, with Radboud University as the managing institution. The board oversees collaboration with local and international partners.

Planning

2025: Finalize telescope design, complete site preparations, and initiate procurement. Critical Design Review (CDR); begin telescope manufacturing.
2026: Telescope installation close to H.E.S.S.
2027: First-light observations, integration, and testing close to H.E.S.S.
2028: Commissioning, integration with EHT, and start the science of operations.
2029 & Beyond: Full science operations. Upon completion of infrastructure at Gamsberg, the transition from H.E.S.S. to Gamsberg.

Social impact

In addition of forming an essential link in the EHT Network, the AMT will be the only radio telescope in the mm-wavelength regime in Africa. Hence, the AMT will have a significant global scientific and regional societal impact. By donating observing time to Namibia, the project team tries to maximise the science opportunities for Namibia, and science cases are being developed on:

A survey of the sky visible from Gamsberg at 100 and 300 GHz
Continuum emission from the Milky Way at 100 and 300 GHz
The inner parts of rotation curves of spiral galaxies to map the dark matter
Monitoring of Active Galactic Nuclei
Wide-field spectroscopic mapping
The Sunyaev-Zel’dovich (SZ) in low-redshift galaxy clusters
Participate in existing or future networks, for instance the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project

These science cases will be developed by the UNAM science team in close collaboration with the team at Radboud University.
The social and economic impact is further enhanced by setting up an education and outreach programme (such as developing educational material, scholarships and fellowships) and boosting innovation and spin offs in Namibia (for example in civil/mechanical/electrical engineering, big data and sustainable energy).

The AMT project is a milestone initiative that advances global astrophysics and enhances scientific capacity-building in Africa through educational programs, including an award-winning mobile planetarium program for schools (Royal Astronomical Society—Annie Maunder Medal) and fellowship programs for Bachelor, Master, and PhD students.

How to help

Our Mobile Planetarium Programme will spearhead the developments in Namibia. Help us to inspire thousands of children in Namibia and to expand their horizons. We need € 25.000 to purchase the mobile planetarium. Every contribution is welcome.

Donate

In addition, we are looking for supporters - people who are passsionate about the project, enthusiastic and willing to support us in various ways. This could include opening up networks, introducing us to critical stakeholders, advising us on local questions, or contributing to the project either in kind or with a donation.

Funding

The AMT project is not just about the telescope; it requires funding for the project team, science program, infrastructure, and expert support, ensuring all partners are represented in decision-making.

Current funding sources include:

Radboud University (12 M€)
European Research Council (ERC, 14 M€)
Dutch Research Council (NWO, 3.5 M€)
University of Namibia (Gamsberg site, operations)

Additional funding sources include Spinoza and NOVA grants. The NOVA grant is currently dedicated to the front end and site characterization.

The AMT project seeks further collaboration for science and infrastructure support through additional funding, in-kind contributions, and partnership agreements to sustain operations and enable the move to Gamsberg.

Partners

Key Institutions

Managing Institution: Radboud University;
Collaborating Institutions: University of Namibia, Oxford University, University of Amsterdam, University of Groningen, ASTRON, University of Turku

Prospective Partners

University of South Africa (UNISA), University of Pretoria (UP), Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASIAA).

Gamsberg agreement

The agreement between the Netherlands and Namibia on the AMT represents a high-level international collaboration focused on strengthening academic and technological partnerships. Signed between Radboud University and the University of Namibia, the agreement was formalized at the Namibian State House in the presence of Namibian President Hage Geingob and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, underscoring the diplomatic and institutional commitment to the project. This initiative not only facilitates scientific cooperation but also promotes capacity building, educational exchange, and technological development in Namibia, reinforcing long-term ties between the two nations.