Time and Latitude in South Africa

1972 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 27-38
Author(s):  
J. Hers
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Astronomical Observations ◽  
Royal Observatory ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Astronomical Determination ◽  
Limited Accuracy ◽  
Better Than

In South Africa the modern outlook towards time may be said to have started in 1948. Both the two major observatories, The Royal Observatory in Cape Town and the Union Observatory (now known as the Republic Observatory) in Johannesburg had, of course, been involved in the astronomical determination of time almost from their inception, and the Johannesburg Observatory has been responsible for the official time of South Africa since 1908. However the pendulum clocks then in use could not be relied on to provide an accuracy better than about 1/10 second, which was of the same order as that of the astronomical observations. It is doubtful if much use was made of even this limited accuracy outside the two observatories, and although there may – occasionally have been a demand for more accurate time, it was certainly not voiced.

III. An experimental determination of the velocity of sound

1872 ◽  
Vol 20 (130-138) ◽  
pp. 34-35
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Determination ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
The Other ◽  
Velocity Of Sound ◽  
Successful Operation ◽  
Single Wire ◽  
Galvanic Current ◽  
Royal Observatory ◽  
Port Elizabeth

A galvanic current passes from the batteries at the Royal Observatory, Cape Town, at 1 o’clock, and discharges a gun at the Castle, and through relays drops a time-ball at Port Elizabeth. It appeared to the author that a valuable determination of the velocity of sound might be obtained by measuring upon the chronograph of the Observatory the interval between the time of the sound reaching some point near the gun and that of its arrival at the Observatory. As there is only a single wire between the Observatory and Cape Town, some little difficulty was experienced in making the necessary arrangements, without any interference with the 1 o’clock current to Port Elizabeth; but this difficulty was overcome by a plan which the author describes, and which was brought into successful operation on Feb. 27, 1871. The experiments could not have been carried out, on account of the encroachment they would have made on the time of the Observatory staff, had it not been for the assistance of J. Den, Esq., the acting manager of the Cape Telegraph Company, to whom the author is indebted for the preparation of a good earth-connexion near the gun, for permission to Mr. Kirby, a gentleman attached to the telegraph office, to assist in the experiments, and for a general superintendence of the arrangements at Cape Town. The observed times of hearing the sound were recorded on the chronograph by two observers, situated one (Mr. Kirby) at a distance of 641 feet from the gun, the other (Mr. Mann) at the Observatory, at a distance of 15,449 feet from the gun. The former distance was sufficient to allow the connexion of the main wire to be broken at the telegraph office after the gun had been fired, but before the sound reached the first observer.

Telescope Interface Compatibility

1971 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 50-51
Author(s):  
I. G. Van Breda
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
International Standards ◽  
General Relevance ◽  
Royal Observatory ◽  
Under Construction ◽  
The University

Recently an automatic UBVRI photometer has been under construction at the University Observatory, St Andrews, for use on the 1.02-metre telescope at the Royal Observatory, Cape Town. Two problems have been encountered which would seem to be of general relevance. Firstly a Cassegrain focus acquisition head, specific to the photometer, was required, and secondly a large rack of electronics must be shipped to South Africa. Clearly these problems have occurred to other guest observers, and it is suggested that they would be greatly reduced by the adoption of international standards, preferably through the IAU, relating to mechanical and electronic interfaces.

scholarly journals XXII. On the extensive atmosphere of Mars

1831 ◽  
Vol 121 ◽  
pp. 417-422 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Astronomical Observations ◽  
Royal Observatory ◽  
Formed Part ◽  
The One

That several of the planets as well as that which we inhabit are surrounded by atmosphere, astronomical observations have long since established; the extent, however, to which in particular planets such atmospheres are diffused, is as yet not satisfactorily determined. The former rests principally upon phenomena observed on the planets’ discs, whilst the latter derives its support chiefly from those detected at or near their respective limbs. Every night, nay almost every hour, may give us indication of the one, whilst years are sometimes necessary, as in the case of planets unattended by satellites, to help us to the other; thus the hypothesis of the extensive atmosphere of Mars derives its origin from the observations of Cassini and Roëmer, and has stood more than a century and a half without refutation or support. The observations to which I allude formed part of a series undertaken for the determination of the parallax of Mars, and are recorded in the Mémoires de l’Académie des Sciences. Cassini’s were made at Briare and at La Charité sur Loire; whilst Roémer’s was obtained at the Royal Observatory of Paris.

scholarly journals Municipal Instruments in Law for Cultural Heritage Protection: A Case Study of the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 1-34
Author(s):  
Rochine Melandri Steenkamp
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Government Functions ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The City

This article questions the extent to which municipal bylaws aimed at cultural heritage resource management (CHRM) reflect the objectives of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (the Constitution), national legislation and the discourse on cultural governance more broadly. In terms of Schedule 4A of the Constitution, the function of "cultural matters" is not an original power of local government.  It is a function assigned to the national and provincial spheres. Municipalities are assumed, however, to have a responsibility to execute aspects of this function that may be incidental to other typical local government functions. This view finds support in the interpretation of various rights in the Constitution (e.g. sections 15, 30, 31 and 24) as well as the heritage, environmental and local government framework legislation and policy documents of South Africa. The premise of this article is that cultural heritage resource management by way of instruments such as bylaws promotes the overarching objectives of local government, such as sustainable development, while also promoting the rights to culture, language and religion, amongst others. To expand on its theoretical basis, this article provides a critical assessment of the bylaws of the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality

Twentieth-Century Longitude: When Greenwich Moved

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kershaw
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
World War ◽  
Current Standard ◽  
Royal Observatory ◽  
The First World War ◽  
First World ◽  
Astronomical Determination ◽  
Universal Reference

By the beginning of the twentieth century, the meridian passing though the Royal Observatory at Greenwich had become a near-universal reference for place and time. It was the zero of longitude. But our current standard of zero longitude is about 100 metres away from the original. That mobility needs historical context: Greenwich began to move in the years after the First World War, when wireless techniques for the astronomical determination of longitude and the standardisation of time were developed, and has carried on moving ever since. In this article, I describe how twentieth-century techniques for the determination of longitude not only brought improved precision but also led to fundamental changes in our long-standing conventions of longitude. And I show how – despite its mobility – our current standard of zero longitude continues to respect the original.

scholarly journals ’n kritiese beskouing van die rol en funksies van die gemeenskapsgesondheids verpleegkundige in groot stedelike plaaslike owerheidsdienste in die Republiek van Suid-Afrika

Curationis ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 12 (3/4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna M. Dreyer
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Local Authority ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
Health Nurse ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Community Health Nurse ◽  
Present Role

The aim o f this study was to determine and describe the role and functions o f the community health nurse in the health services o f local authorities o f the larger cities within the framework o f legislation regarding health and the health service structure o f the Republic o f South Africa. A questionnaire was used to gather data in connection with the present role and functions o f the community health nurse who is responsible fo r direct client I patient care in the local authority areas o f Greater Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Pretoria, Johannesburg and Bloemfontein. The information gained from the questionnaires was followed up by personal observations o f the services tendered in Greater Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, after it had been computed. The study indicates that the community health nurse in the urban, local authority health services o f the Republic makes a very important contribution to the delivery o f services within the provisions o f the Health Act, no. 63 of 1977. The analysis o f the computed data and personal observations showed that the community health nurse in the large cities must carry out a certain percentage o f the administrative, educational, preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative activities in the services.

scholarly journals COLD COMFORT FOR THE PARTIES TO A MUSLIM MARRIAGE - THE SAGA CONTINUES Hassam v Jacobs NO (Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa and Women’s Legal Trust as Amici Curiae [2009] ZACC 19

Obiter ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Razaana Denson ◽  
Glynis van der Walt
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Constitutional Court ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Youth Movement ◽  
High Court ◽  
Muslim Youth ◽  
The Republic

In Hassam v Jacobs NO (Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa and Women’s Legal Trust as Amici Curiae) ([2009] ZACC 19), the Constitutional Court was faced with an application for the confirmation of constitutional invalidity of section 1(4)(f) of the Intestate Succession Act 81 of 1987 (hereinafter “the ISA”). The application was made pursuant to the decision of the Western Cape High Court, Cape Town in Hassam v Jacobs NO ([2008] 4 All SA 350 (C)), where it was held that the word “spouse” as utilized in the ISA could be extended to include parties in a de facto polygynous Muslim marriage. The impugned provisions of the ISA were held to exclude widows of polygynous Muslim marriages in a discriminatory manner from the protection offered by the ISA. The Western Cape High Court therefore declared section 1(4)(f) of the ISA to be inconsistent with the Constitution as it makes provision for only one spouse in a marriage entered into in accordance with the tenets Muslim rites to be an heir. The decision of Western Cape High Court was referred to the Constitutional Court in terms of section 172(2)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act, Act 108 of 1996.

scholarly journals Astronomy in South Africa

1995 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 674-676
Author(s):  
Brian Warner
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Astronomical Observatory ◽  
Infrared Astronomy ◽  
African Continent ◽  
Infrared Photometry ◽  
Ccd Imaging ◽  
Royal Observatory ◽  
Ir Photometry

This note reviews those aspects of astronomy in South Africa that may be useful for the support of astronomical development on the rest of the African continent.Optical and infrared astronomy is largely consolidated at the Sutherland site of the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), about 300 km from Cape Town. The administrative and technical headquarters of this institution occupy the buildings of the old Royal Observatory (founded in 1820) in Cape Town. In Cape Town there is a twin 18/24 inch (0.45/0.6m) refractor and an 18-inch (0.45m) photometric reflector still operational. At Sutherland the 74-inch (1.8m Radcliffe) reflector is equipped for spectroscopy, CCD imaging and IR photometry. Newtonian and coudé foci are available but rarely used. Also at Sutherland there are 40-inch, 30-inch and 20-inch telescopes (approx. 1m, 0.75m and 0.5m) used primarily for CCD imaging (40-inch), optical and infrared photometry (30-inch) and UVBRI standard photometry (20-inch). An automatic photoelectric telescope (30-inch aperture) is nearing completion. Observing conditions at Sutherland provide about 50% photometric time.

scholarly journals Association between clinical and environmental factors and the gut microbiota profiles in young South African children

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristien Nel Van Zyl ◽  
Andrew C. Whitelaw ◽  
Anneke C. Hesseling ◽  
James A. Seddon ◽  
Anne-Marie Demers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Bacterial Diversity ◽  
South African ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Common Genus ◽  
Geographical Locations

AbstractDifferences in the microbiota in populations over age and geographical locations complicate cross-study comparisons, and it is therefore essential to describe the baseline or control microbiota in each population. This includes the determination of the influence of demographic, clinical and environmental factors on the microbiota in a setting, and elucidates possible bias introduced by these factors, prior to further investigations. Little is known about the microbiota of children in South Africa after infancy. We provide a detailed description of the gut microbiota profiles of children from urban Cape Town and describe the influences of various clinical and environmental factors in different age groups during the first 5 years of life. Prevotella was the most common genus identified in the participants, and after infancy, the gut bacteria were dominated by Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. In this setting, children exposed to antibiotics and indoor cooking fires were at the most risk for dysbiosis, showing significant losses in gut bacterial diversity.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document