Africa Millimetre Telescope

Duration: 2019 until 2029
Project member(s): Prof. H.D.E. Falcke (Heino) Dr M. Klein Wolt (Marc) Dr M. Janssen (Michael) A. Ampe (Annelies) Dr C.D. Brinkerink (Christiaan) Dr D.R. van Rossum (Daan) Dr Y.J.A. Weesepoel (Yannick) A.M. Pierik (Maaike) P.P.J. Wolf (Périne) R. Fraga Encinas (Raquel) MSc , Prof. Dr. Michael Backes , Hans-Werner Matthaei, Local PM Namibia , Prof. Dr. S. Markoff , Prof. Dr. R. Fender , P. Holbrouck , Prof. Dr. J.O. Chibueze , Local PM of Namibia , E. Aranzana , Prof. Dr. A.M. Barychev , Z. Duvenhage , L. Frans , Dr. T. Hovatta , H. Katjaita , Dr. E. Lindfors
Project type: Research
Organisation: Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics, Astrophysics

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 consortium led by Radboud University in partnership with the University of Namibia, University of Oxford, University of Amsterdam, University of South Africa, and University of Turku as an associated member.

Black holes are at the forefront of astrophysics and theoretical physics research. Their event horizon, a virtual surface shielding a region of no return, marks fundamental limits of space, time, and scientific understanding. This region can now be studied experimentally. In 2019, the ground breaking first-ever picture of a black hole was revealed to the world by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), a global network of millimeter‐wave radio telescopes. This first image of the supermassive black hole (SMBH) at the center of the M87 galaxy was soon followed, in 2022, by the first picture of the SMBH at the center of our Milky Way galaxy. Both images represent a major scientific breakthrough because they provide direct visual evidence of the existence of black holes and confirm Einstein's theory of General Relativity holds in the most extreme conditions.

Why

The Africa Millimetre Telescope (AMT) aims to become a crucial addition to the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) global network of radio telescopes. The AMT will contribute to high-resolution imaging of cosmic phenomena, including black holes and active galactic nuclei, 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 including the EHT, GMVA, EVN and VLBI centered on the African continent in connection with the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), it will also work as a standalone telescope.

The AMT will enable a broad range of scientific research as a standalone telescope in Namibia, from transient phenomena and dynamic astrophysical events, the monitoring of active galactic nuclei and smaller stellar-sized black holes, and deep integrations on spectral lines.

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 between these telescopes, the better the resolution.

Why we need a telescope in Namibia

The existing telescope that will be refurbished

Telescope specifications

The AMT has been designed as a 14-meter dish optimized for 86–350 GHz frequencies. It will integrate into several VLBI networks, or perform observations as a standalone telescope.

The AMT 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 bespoke front-end design that allows simultaneous observation in up to four ALMA bands:

ALMA Band 1: 35 - 50 GHz
ALMA Band 2: 67 - 116 GHz
ALMA Band 6: 211-275 GHz
ALMA Band 7: 275-373 GHz

The system will be operated and maintained by Namibian engineers.

Location in Namibia

The implementation of the AMT project will occur in two phases. In phase 1, the telescope will be built near the H.E.S.S observatory at an elevation of 1,900 meters, and close to the Gamsberg plateau in Namibia. In phase 2, the AMT will be relocated to the top of the Gamsberg plateau at 2,347 meters. The two-stage process allows for the development of road infrastructure to the top of Gamsberg.

Namibia is an excellent location for radio astronomy because it offers high and radio-quiet locations, and extremely dry weather.

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

2026: Critical Design Review (CDR), site preparations, begin telescope manufacturing by mtex antenna technology.
2027: Telescope installation near the H.E.S.S. site, integration, and testing.
2028: First-light (ALMA Band 6), integration with EHT 2028, integration of the full front-end receiver.
2029: Full Commissioning, EHT 2029 campaign and full science operations.
2030 & Beyond: Upon completion of infrastructure at Gamsberg, transition from the H.E.S.S. site to the Gamsberg plateau.

Scientific and 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 passionate 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€)
NOVA Phase 6 instrumentation grant (front-end, site characterization).
University of Namibia (Gamsberg site, operations)
University of South Africa (funding for instrumentation)
Spinoza grant

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

Radboud University (managing)
Partners: University of Namibia, Oxford University, University of Amsterdam, University of South Africa, University of Turku (associated partner)
Other collaborators: ASTRO, University of Groningen.

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.