Twenty thousand members, 32 branches and 71 institutions, working since 2004 to put space science within reach of every Ethiopian.
The Ethiopian Space Science Society brings astronomy and space science to classrooms, city squares and observatories across the country — and builds the community the country's future in space will depend on.
A pair of eclipse glasses, the Sun overhead, and the moment a question begins.
Look up with usTo make Ethiopia a scientific society, with a strong scientific culture that reaps the benefits of space science and technology.
Develop space professionals, build the institutions that train them and conduct research, and grow awareness and skill across the country.
Grow the field's people and institutions first, and link the public and private sectors so they work toward the vision together.
Backed by 71 institutional members — universities, banks, schools and companies across Ethiopia.
32 branch associations in 9 regions run their own stargazing, school clubs, lectures and outreach — each led by members in its own city.
Six ways into the Society — whoever you are, wherever in Ethiopia you live.
Join 20,000 members for events, training, working groups and the Society's resources.
Join ESSS Near youObservations, school clubs and outreach, run by members in your own city.
Find a branch StudentsSummer Space Training, the Research Programme and internships for students and early-career Ethiopians.
See programmes SchoolsJoin more than 100 space school clubs bringing astronomy into classrooms.
Ask us how InstitutionsUniversities, banks, schools and companies back the work as institutional members.
Our members EveryoneEvery Space Merch order goes toward the Society's programmes.
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Much of what the Society does is run by volunteers — the stargazing nights, the lectures, the training weeks and the General Assembly. Bring a skill, or just bring the time.
Training for students and teachers, lectures and stargazing for the public, research and citizen science for the curious, and Ethiopia's part in the world's space days — 12 programmes in all. Pick one to learn more.
All programmes →Usual timing. Dates are announced on Hewa+ and the Society's Telegram.
Observatories and a bus full of telescopes: what the Society builds.
All projects →
Historical achievement
Established by the Society and later transferred to the Ministry of Science and Technology, now the Ministry of Innovation. It is no longer run by ESSS.
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Flagship project
Testing two mountain sites near Lalibela for an international optical and infrared observatory, with the Amhara Regional Government and the universities of Bahir Dar, Gondar, Mekelle and Woldia. The largest space science project the Society manages.
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Outreach project
Mobile outreach combining astronomy, science, technology, art and innovation, with Ethiopian and international professionals travelling between communities.
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Digital platform
The Society's platform for space news, blogs and a podcast, in English and Amharic: 100,000 people reached so far.
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Society store
Apparel, stickers and gear from the Society's own store, where every order goes toward its programmes.
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Research and learning
Students and the public doing real research, free: an asteroid search with IASC, astrophotography and a mentored research programme.
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Coming soon
The Society's eLearning platform for space education, from basic to advanced. Early access is open.
Read more →From the first observatory in Addis Ababa in 1957 to today: the Society's milestones, alongside the country's.
The Society Ethiopia — the country's space story, not ESSS's own
Space news, explainers and stories from the Society's own publication.
More from Hewa+ →Stickers, mugs and gear from the Society's own store. Every order goes toward its programmes.
Visit the store →Students Professionals Schools Institutions
Membership is open to individuals, institutions and school clubs. It opens the door to events, working groups, training and the Society's resources.
