Lusaka, Zambia — AllAfrica is following the work of an international group of scientists visiting Zambia. Led by a team of astrophysicists from Williams College in the United States, the group will collect data available only during a total solar eclipse. Through periodic diary entries, we'll keep watch on the group's preparations and experiences.
Last night we invited a group of Physics students and faculty from the University of Zambia (UNZA) to visit us at the guest house where we're staying. We had a braai, which means our food was grilled outside where we could see the stars.
Everyone was excited to meet one another. I talked to several students about local music, with the aim of finding some good CDs to bring home. Someone set up a small telescope and we took turns looking at Mars during its current close approach to the Earth.
As the night grew colder, a group gathered around the grill, still full of glowing embers. An UNZA Research Assistant named Michael started to talk to us about Zambia as we rubbed our hands over the warmth. He told us we couldn't claim to have really seen Zambia until we got out of the city and visited compounds to see how most of the country lives. Our group of students from the United States listened attentively to his description of the way Zambians are reacting to AIDS, modernization and foreign aid. He told us he thought too much aid money went towards consumption, rather than increasing production, and that AIDS is destroying the African family.
Tomorrow we continue the work of getting our equipment and protocols ready for the few moments when the moon obscures the sun.
