Author: Kai Staats

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MMAO presented at AFAS 2026

Dear Ambassadors,

Rashidi Mkwinda Hope everyone is okay. I am pleased to inform you that I am currently in Kasane, Botswana attending the AFAS Conference 2026, representing Mount Meru Astronomical Observatory (MMAO) for the second time, following my participation in Johannesburg last year.

At this conference, I am presenting on how to nurture the next generation of astronomers through astronomy clubs for young people. The presentation focuses on practical ways to inspire and develop future stars in astronomy.

I look forward to sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas, and strengthening our collective efforts in promoting astronomy education.

Thank you for your continued support.

Kind regards,
Rashidi

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2025 in Review

by Rashidi M. Mkwinda, MMAO Ambassador to Astronomy Education

We sincerely congratulate all teachers and ambassadors of the Mount Meru Astronomical Observatory for your hard work, dedication, and teamwork in 2025. Because of your efforts, astronomy education has continued to grow and reach more schools and communities.

Some of our key achievements in 2025 include:

1. Successfully organizing astronomy workshops for teachers and students, helping them better understand space science through practical learning.

2. Carrying out many astronomy activities in schools, including starting and strengthening astronomy clubs that inspired students and built their interest in science.

3. Actively taking part in the lunar eclipse event by observing, teaching the public, and reporting the event, which helped promote our observatory locally and internationally.

4. Participating in international conferences and meetings, which increased our knowledge, experience, and global connections.

5. Receiving sponsorship and support from different partners, making it possible to run education programs, research activities, and improve our facilities.

6. Welcoming many visitors to the Mount Meru Astronomical Observatory, including students, teachers, researchers, and education partners, showing growing interest and trust in our center.

These achievements came from your commitment. As we move into 2026, we encourage everyone to work even harder—especially by expanding astronomy activities in schools through clubs, organizing regular sky observation events, and inviting more members to join us so we can reach more schools and communities.

We wish 2026 to be a year of stronger teamwork, new ideas, and greater success for the Mount Meru Astronomical Observatory.

Together, with dedication and unity, we will continue to shine like bright stars in the sky.

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Updates coming soon!

We have been busy with attending international conferences and hosting local teacher and student workshops, and have fallen behind on website updates. To date, these are the teacher training workshops we’ve hosted, and the conferences we’ve attended. It’s been a great year, so far!

202501 – IAU OAE Teacher Training Workshop
202503 – AFAS South Africa
202503 – Sharing the Sky
202504 – Makumira Secondary Astronomy Club
202506 – IAU OAD

Do reach out to us if you are in the area, would like to partner on a project, or just want to discuss all things dim and bright in the evening skies!

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2024 in review

2024 was a year that included teacher training workshops, visitors to our observatory, and our own teachers and staff attending workshops and conference in other countries.

Here is a brief list:

202403 – MMAO Student Workshop, March 2024
202404 – AFAS Morocco
202405 – Ancient Wisdom by Eliatosha
202407 – Mt. Meru Saddle Road Radio Astronomy Summit
202408 – IAU General Assembly
202408 – Tz in USA
202410 – IAU OAD
202410 – Space Week
202411 – Engalaoni school + planetarium

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A family visit to MMAO

Nanette and family visit MMAO

“What a wonderful surprise it was to learn that we have an observatory in Arusha–near Arusha National Park–that has the largest telescope in East Africa! It’s a small but well-equipped and well-maintained facility directed by the charming Mr. Elineema Nasarri, a gifted, enthusiastic, and very knowledgeable teacher.

The goal of the Mount Meru Astronomical Observatory is to provide science education to students and others. Elineema hosted our small group–my husband and myself and our four local “sons” from the nearby village where we live. Soon he had everyone asking questions and laughing and in awe of the grandeur of the planets, stars and galaxies.

We look forward to visiting again and working with them to share the marvels of the Universe with our local villagers. We are feeling very grateful to Telescopes to Tanzania who built the facility, and to the Organization for Science, Education and Observatory which operates it, for bestowing this gift on Arusha.” —Nanette

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2023 in review

2023 was a year that introduced our first teacher training workshop and the first time one of our own staff was able to attend a conference in another country! We also enjoyed several visitors to our observatory.

202302 – IAU OAE Teacher Training Workshop
202310 – IAU Shaw at SAAO
202311 – Astronomy Club

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A Christmas visitor to MMAO

David Tan and friends at MMAO for Christmas 2023

On December 23, 2023 Kai, Elineema, and Mponda simultaneously received an email from the contact form on this website. It was from David Tan, an engineer who owns and operates a cafe in Dar es Salaam. He asked for a visit to the MMAO observatory. Given the close proximity to Christmas, Kai attempted to relieve Elineema from the transit to and from MMAO with a polite dismissal, but David was persistent and Elineema was excited to observe too! Perhaps they’d catch Santa’s sleigh in the telescope or another Christmas supernova. Nonetheless, they came together for a very special observing session, as David describes.

David writes, “It’s not at all often I come up to Arusha, so when it came to me that I had once read about an observatory at Mt. Meru, I felt strongly that I had to visit – lest it take a few more years before a next first visit and connection with the observatory.

The night we spent at the observatory was full of magic. There was a full moon rising exactly above Mt Kilimanjaro. We were all spellbound. I’m extremely impressed with all the work that’s been put into the observatory and the team who brought us to the observatory that night. Thank you!

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Shaw-IAU Workshop Summary

MMAO Director Elineema Nassari at the South African Astronomical Observatory

Elineema Nassari, Director at MMAO, was awarded travel, lodging, and attendance of the African regional Shaw-IAU meeting hosted by the International Astronomers Union Office of Astronomy for Development on the campus of the South Africa Astronomical Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa. The workshop was from November 3-5, 2023.

Elineema writes, “This was a unique opportunity to share astronomical knowledge with a variety of teachers who came from so many countries, including Botswana. Zimbabwe, Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Kenya and South Africa.as I mentioned above.

“We participated in many presentations with both in-person and virtual speakers. Teachers asked many questions, helping all of us to build an increased capacity for teaching astronomy in our respective schools. I discovered that some countries have included Astronomy in their curriculum, making it a part of the total education in their school systems. This is not yet the case in Tanzania. We have much to do to advise the government, to include Astronomy in the [national] curriculum. Upon return from South Africa to Tanzania, I immediately implemented the knowledge gained in the workshop with my fellow teachers and students as well.

Moreover, I was given an opportunity to remain at SAAO for one week more, to learn how to run an organization and observatory as well. I met with IAU-OAD and OAE staff from the Office of Astronomy for Development where I learned a great deal. Also, we discussed the development of an astro-tourism program at MMAO.

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to visit Sutherland where massive telescopes survey the Southern Hemisphere. This was my first time to see such kind of big telescope. Imagine, the largest I had used was 12 inches. And now I have spent time observing in a telescope that is more that three building stories tall! I spent nights with astronomers from, SALT, SAAO and from Japan too. This time is for me an unforgettable history.

Also, I visited the science center at Cape Town whereby I learned a very crucial thing—that MMAO can establish a science center [to engage] young children in experiential education, that is, learning by doing small experiments. This beginning experience with science, while they are still young, [initiates] the spirit of enjoying and engaging science for a lifetime.

Now I have seeds in my hands to plant in Tanzanian, with teachers and students ready to grow.

Good things are coming!

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Inspiring Teachers visit MMAO

Inspiring Teachers visit MMAO!

Today MMAO was honored to receive teachers from Inspiring Teachers, an innovative nonprofit helping teachers fulfill the promise of education. Inspiring Teachers designs programs for rollout across systems. Their programs equip school and system leaders with tools that enable them to systematically support teachers so they can make greater impact in their classrooms.

Inspiring Teachers in the photo (top, left to right): MMAO Ambassador Pandaeli, Coretta, Kelsey, Katya, Reggie, and Mary; then Lauren, Jamie, Cassie, and Rachel. MMAO Elineema Nassari is on the far right. Catherin is taking the photo.