Adama Ball, a passion for astronomy illuminating Senegal
A few days ago, Senegal successfully launched its first satellite into orbit. In this context, a new generation of Senegalese astronomers is emerging. Among them is Adama Ball, an astronomy enthusiast and author of a monumental 444-page book, the result of fourteen years of work.
By Dounia Ben Mohamed
Adama Ball was born in Lyon, France, but it is in Senegal that he shaped his academic journey. After completing his primary education at École 4 de Tivaouane and continuing at CEM Diamaguene 2 in Thiès and CEM Sara in Kaolack, he finished his high school years at Nouveau Lycée de Kaolack.
Passionate about astronomy since his teenage years, he recalls: “I followed a show called ‘Space’ on Euronews that I never missed since I was 15 in 2010.” His love for astronomy grew over the years, from nights spent gazing at the stars to devouring numerous books and encyclopedias. His influences? Scientific communicators such as Étienne Klein, Aurélien Barrau, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and researchers like Nabila Aghanim and Jean-Pierre Luminet. This self-taught learning led him to amass profound knowledge, which he now shares with the world through his book.
Familiarizing African youth with astronomy
This 444-page book, a true compendium of knowledge about the universe, aims to demystify astronomy in Senegal and Africa. “I wanted to incorporate into the book the different stages of the universe’s formation and explain astronomical terms to familiarize African youth with astronomy,” explains Adama.
The publication of this book comes at a historic moment for Senegal, which recently launched its first satellite, GAINDE-Sat. For Adama, this event represents a significant technological advancement: “It paves the way for new opportunities in space technologies, research, and development, while inspiring young Senegalese to take an interest in science.”
However, the space industry in Africa faces numerous challenges, including inadequate funding and limited infrastructure. “Coordination between countries and international collaboration are still insufficient,” acknowledges Adama, who sees these difficulties as reasons to overcome and push Africa towards increased technological autonomy.
Science is an endless adventure, and each of us has the potential to contribute to exploring the universe
Adama’s commitment to astronomy was further strengthened when he became a member of the Senegalese Association for the Promotion of Astronomy in March 2023, under the leadership of Maram Kaire. He has also received guidance from Suzana Filipecki Martins, a member of the International Astronomical Union, and Salma Sylla, Senegal’s first PhD candidate in astrophysics.
Adama Ball, through his academic journey in computer engineering and physical chemistry, and his contributions to science, embodies a model of inspiration for Senegalese youth. His book is not only a scientific work but also a call to curiosity and perseverance. As Adama emphasizes, “Science is an endless adventure, and each of us has the potential to contribute to exploring the universe.”
