Dedan Kimathi University student on mission to take telescope a top Mt Kenya

A student at Dedan Kimathi University is set to take a telescope to the top of Mt Kenya later this month to study the universe.

Jackson Karanjau, an engineering student, said yesterday it will be the first time the gadget will be taken there.

“There is no light pollution and the atmospheric pressure in the mountain is very friendly, which will be ideal for the astronomical observation and learning purposes,” said Mr Karanjau, adding that astronomy is very young in the country, unlike in South Africa.

“It's very important to study the universe as everything started from somewhere. Out of observation we learn a lot and once we do it from September 20 to 24 very many students will be inspired to study more on what the universe is all about,” added the students.

Other students from his school will be climbing the mountain in a drive to raise funds to educate the less fortunate at the institution.

The student is looking for Sh400,000 to hire the telescope for the four days from Travelling Telescope Africa Ltd.

Travelling Telescope Africa Ltd is a company now based in Kenya dedicated to promoting science and technology using astronomical tools and concepts. Their main tools include a state-of-the-art digital mobile Planetarium, Kenya’s largest telescope.

“The night sky changes all the time, so depending on the date you can see different objects through the telescope, like the moon and its craters, planets and comets up close," said Karanjau.