UCT Physics Department

21/09/2026

🌌 OPEN NIGHT AT THE NRF-SAAO

Join us for an evening of astronomy, science and exploration at the NRF-SAAO in Cape Town.

This month’s 2nd Open Night presentation will be delivered by:

🎤 *Malcolm Scarrott*

Presenting:

✨ *“Commissioning and Qualifying a Titanium Sapphire-Based Laser Frequency Comb for Precision Radial Velocity Measurements with SALT’s High Resolution Spectrograph”*

How can tiny movements in distant stars reveal the presence of planets orbiting them?

Malcolm will explore the science behind the search for exoplanets and explain how Laser Frequency Combs provide the extremely precise calibration needed to measure subtle changes in a star’s motion.

He will introduce the Laser Frequency Comb being developed for the Southern African Large Telescope’s High Resolution Spectrograph, discuss improvements made to the instrument during 2026 and share results from testing its performance in the laboratory and on the sky.

Malcolm is a Master’s student at the University of Cape Town with a passion for astronomical instrumentation and precision radial velocity research.

Following the presentation, guests can enjoy a guided tour of the Observatory and, weather permitting, stargazing through our outreach telescopes.

📅 *Saturday, 26 September 2026*
🕗 *20:00–22:00*
🚪 *Gates open at 19:30*
📍 *NRF|SAAO, Observatory, Cape Town*

⚠️ *IMPORTANT NOTICES*

The McClean Telescope is still undergoing maintenance and will therefore not be accessible to the public.

Please also note that our separate Heritage Day events on 24 September are now fully booked.

Advance booking is essential. For Open Night bookings and more information, please visit: https://www.saao.ac.za/visit-capetown/

17/09/2026

We are so proud of our Spring 2026 Graduates!

Salmaan Barday – Awarded the Master of Science with distinction
Joshua Daniel Browne – Awarded the Master of Science with distinction
Mikayla Chaplin – Awarded the Master of Science
Alice McKnight – Awarded the Master of Science
James Mitchell – Awarded the Master of Science with distinction
Nia O'Callaghan – Awarded the Master of Science
Thobani Sangweni – Awarded the Master of Science with distinction
Rory Ellis – Awarded the Bachelor of Science

Thobani Sangweni, was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University late last year. He will be heading off to Oxford University very soon! We are incredibly proud that he was one of 10 recipients in all of Southern Africa to be awarded this prestigious opportunity. We wish him the best of success!

A HUGE congratulations to all graduates and their families!

15/09/2026

Last Friday we celebrated the 8th birthday of the Metrological and Applied Sciences University Research Unit (MeASURe) within the Department of Physics at the University of Cape Town!

The research unit shares and promotes an identity in scientific metrology and its interdisciplinary applications, principally in radiation physics, nanoelectronics and materials, and education. These active research areas are all found at UCT Physics.

The event was centred around over 20 postgraduate student research posters, and highlighted by our own Candela Cake and the ceremonial rolling of marbles into our own Galton Quincunx by recent graduates.

Our signature board game MeASURe-UP was also reintroduced to a new audience of thrilled metrology-minded students.

Comment if you'd like to try MeASURe-UP.

14/09/2026

September vac provided a second opportunity to facilitate laboratory experiences with Crestway High learners.

It was once again a fantastic day working with these engaged, wide-eyed learners and their teacher, Mr Jola.

Working with Crestway has sparked thoughts and ideas about the space between secondary school and undergraduate science laboratories, and how we can bridge some of those gaps to have a wider reach and meaningful impact.

We recognize our unique position to reshape the space and make an impact on South Africa's future scientists by developing skills, top-quality lab programs, equipment, and empowerment for educators in that space.

Working across disciplines on this almost spontaneous outreach project with UCT Chemistry has also shown that each participant has strengths to share and learn from.

11/09/2026

Koeberg Nuclear Power station visit

On the first day of the September student vacation, students and staff of all levels went on a trip to Africa's only nuclear power station in Melkbosstrand, Cape Town. If you look carefully, you'll see the two reactor towers behind us. This very worthwhile excursion was initiated by the undergraduate student leaders at UCT Physics. In the mix were not only Physics people but also UCT Engineering, Mathematics and Astrophysics.

Did you know that all the nuclear waste produced at the power station in the 40 years of its operation is stored on-site in a space that would likely be smaller than an average house?

Nuclear power will always attract lots of concerns and controversy, and the engagement between the Eskom experts and UCT cohort certainly reflected this. The visit proved very informative, reassuring us that the facility is in safe hands and is developing in positive alignment with South Africa's future energy needs. Of particular interest are the active nature of Eskom's recruitment of talent who will be developed to lead Eskom into the future.

Anyone can visit the power station, and it is something that we'd strongly encourage you to do. Call the visitor's centre in advance to arrange a visit 021 550 4667

31/08/2026

Women's month 2026 focused on nurturing our mental well being. Dr Muturiki helped our women in physics with strategies for maintaining a healthy balance in work and life, real actions we can take to deal with burnout, and so much more!

20/08/2026

Welcome to a day in the life of PHYLAB1

PHYLAB1 is our undergraduate physics laboratory for 1st year students. It is one of the brightest learning spaces on campus. Apart from running the practical course for our own 'Physics Majors', we also service the Medical, Engineering, and Science faculties. The service courses are the pulse of our 1st year Physics labs and keeps the lab active and alive throughout the year.

These are some candid snaps on a typical afternoon during 1st year Physics pracs for BSc Science, and BSC Eng students. Our lab demonstrators in their yellow jackets are postgraduates in Physics, Oceanography, Engineering, Mathematics, and Astrophysics.

PHYLAB1 is a happy space where we get to learn, teach and socialize around classic physics experiments. There's lots of serious work going on here but also lots of smiling, laughing and social interaction. A very rare combination in the age of virtual interaction and online communication.

It is one of the few learning formats where it is virtually impossible to 'cheat' with AI! Long live the laboratory!

10/07/2026

While our students are enjoying the vacation, the lab team took the opportunity to support Crestway High School to develop, set up, and run Grade 10 and Grade 11 Science practicals.

Crestway High has a laboratory space but unfortunately no equipment. We were fortunate to be able to step up to the plate and give these eager learners a premium laboratory learning experience. Experiments that we ran were based on Newton's second law, Ohm's Law, and the phase transitions of water.

This is part of an initiative started by Prof Jonathan Jansen from Stellenbosch University.

The UCT Department of Chemistry has been on board with this intitiative since 2025, and UCT Physics lab team are excited to be on board.

May it continue to develop, grow and perhaps be the beginning of a broader initiative to support Science in South Africa at the Secondary School level.

17/06/2026

https://youtu.be/Ih1BDABDGcY?si=qSgBzb6Z51B8zu4Z

As South Africa marks 50 years since the 16 June 1976 Soweto Uprisi...

27/05/2026

On Friday 22 May, we hosted our second Women in Physics (WiP) event of the year, this time, the whole department was strongly encouraged to attend, regardless of gender identity.

The panel discussion focused on inclusivity: where we are, where we want to be, and the concrete steps each of us can take. It was genuinely refreshing to hear the range of perspectives in the room, and the conversation won't stop here.

Thank you to everyone who came along and contributed. More to follow!