South African radio astronomer Dr Bernie Fanaroff has been inducted as a Fellow of the very prestigious Royal Society, at a ceremony in London. He headed SKA South Africa (SKA SA) from 2003 to 2015, directing South Africa’s involvement in, and contribution to, the international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope project, as well as overseeing the design and construction of South Africa’s own MeerKAT radio telescope array (a precursor to the SKA).

The Royal Society is the oldest scientific association in the world. It was founded in 1660 in London, receiving royal approval and its full official title, The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, in 1663. It describes itself on its website as “the independent scientific academy of the UK and the Commonwealth, dedicated to promoting excellence in science”. Previous members included Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking.

In July 2017, SKA SA was, along with the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory, incorporated into the then newly established South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (Sarao). According to a statement issued by Sarao, Fanaroff never expected, or even believed, it would be possible for him to be appointed as a Fellow of the Royal Society. He was deeply honoured to become a member of such a prestigious scientific association.

He also affirmed that his appointment was recognition of the tremendous quality and success of South Africa’s SKA team. In addition, it highlighted the strength of astronomy and technology in South Africa.

Early in his career, in 1974, while in the UK, he and British astrophysicist Julia Riley jointly developed the Fanaroff-Riley classification of radio galaxies and quasars. Subsequently, back in South Africa, he became a metal industry union organiser, before joining government as head of the Office for the Reconstruction and Development Programme and deputy director-general in the Office of then President Nelson Mandela. Fanaroff was one of 51 new Fellows elected to the Royal Society this year.