ADDIS ABABA- International Astronomical Union (IAU) selects Ethiopia to name the star HD16175 and planet HD16175b as a reward for the space science commitment the nation has made recently, Ethiopian Space Science Technology Institute and Society told a press conference yesterday.
Ethiopian Space Science Technology Institute General Director Dr. Solomon Belay, congratulated Ethiopians, appreciating the opportunity IAU has given to the country name the star and planet as a recognition to the efforts Ethiopia has been making in innovation development in the last year and half.
“It is a recognition given to the Ethiopia’s historical efforts in space science innovations. Though Ethiopia’s history of innovation is not well organized and documented, Ethiopians had great roles in the space study like Greeks, Arabs, Europeans and others,” Dr. Solomon noted.
The Ethiopian government has prioritized space and technological innovations through more than doubling its budget, space science technological innovation policy formation, national and continental capacity building, streaming the sector and many more in the last fifteen years although the previous year saw radical shift, Dr. Solomon added.
Dr. Solomon reiterated that it makes Ethiopia the fourth African country to officially name star and planet following Egypt, South Africa and Nigeria. Ethiopian Space Science Society Director General Beza Tesfaye, for her part, said that the naming opportunity is a great motivation and recognition for the government and young innovators.
“It is lasting property and great history for Ethiopia,” Meaza noted. Dr. Getnet Feleke, Kotobe Metropolitan University Space Science Associate Prof., for his part, said that the star HD16175 is about 196 light years far from the sun, and 1.34 times larger and 1.66 times wider than the sun. It is 3 times brighter than the sun. And the planet HD16175b is 4.8 times larger than Jupiter.
The Ethiopian Herald May 24/2019
BY DIRRIBA TESHOME
