Physicist Explores Mysteries of Space Weather

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Space physicist Mr Siyanda Hlathi has been awarded a Master of Science degree in Physics from UKZN for his research which delved into the mysteries of near-Earth space.

Supervised by Dr Judy Stephenson and Professor Michael Kosch, Hlathi studied unusual radar signals detected by SuperDARN, a global network of high-frequency radars used for monitoring the ionosphere.

The ionosphere is a crucial region of the Earth’s upper atmosphere that affects how radio signals travel.

Hlathi’s dissertation, titled: ‘An Investigation of Near Range Echoes (NREs) in SANAE SuperDARN Radar Data’, focused on radar echoes detected much closer to the radar site than expected. “SuperDARN is usually used to study the upper atmosphere at far ranges, hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away,” explained Hlathi. “But in some data, researchers started seeing radar returns from much closer ranges, which is something that’s not well understood. My work looked into what causes these near-range echoes and where exactly they come from.”

Said Hlathi: “The ionosphere plays a key role in space weather, which impacts systems we use every day, like GPS, satellite communication and radio signals. If we can better understand how it behaves, especially during disturbances, we can help improve those technologies and protect them from space weather events.”

His interest in space science was sparked in 2019, when he attended the National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme (NASSP) Winter School. “That experience opened my eyes,” he said. “Before that, I enjoyed physics in general, but the Winter School introduced me to space physics in a way that was exciting and completely new to me. I knew then that this was the field I wanted to pursue.”

UKZN stood out as the ideal institution for his postgraduate studies, as one of only three universities in South Africa offering the NASSP programme. “Choosing UKZN made sense because of its strong reputation in space science and its involvement in NASSP. This programme together with the National Research Foundation also provided funding, which made it possible for me to focus on my studies and research without added financial stress,” he explained.

Now, with his MSc complete, Hlathi has no plans to slow down. “I’m already registered for a PhD,” he said enthusiastically. “My goal is to make an even more valuable contribution to the space science community. There’s still so much to learn about the ionosphere and how it affects the systems we depend on.”

Hlathi’s work contributes to an important global effort to understand space weather and its effects on modern technology better. “Society depends more than ever on space-based systems. From navigation and communication to weather forecasting and defence, it’s all linked to how well we understand near-Earth space. Research like mine, although focused on a specific phenomenon, feeds into the larger puzzle of understanding and forecasting space weather,” he explained.

Reflecting on his journey, Hlathi credited several key people for helping him reach this milestone. “My high school teachers Mrs Mkhonza, Mrs Nkosi, Miss Ndlovu and Miss Zikalala believed in me even before I believed in myself. That gave me the confidence to pursue my potential,” he said. “And my aunt Miss Zanele Nene has been a constant support system from the very beginning of my academic journey.”

Outside the lab, Hlathi enjoys a good balance between work and relaxation. “I like going to the gym to keep active, and I enjoy watching movies in my spare time. It helps me unwind and recharge,” he shared.

He also acknowledged the role UKZN played in his success. “I believe that when a university provides a healthy and productive environment, with everyone committed to doing their best, it creates the conditions for student success,” said Hlathi. “UKZN has given me that kind of space.”

Words: Sally Frost

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini