Dear colleagues, partners, and friends,

As we begin the year 2025, the Oukaimeden Observatory extends its warmest wishes for health, happiness, and success. On this occasion, we are delighted to share a retrospective of the remarkable achievements of 2024—a year rich in scientific accomplishments and fruitful collaborations.

1. Scientific Publications

In 2024, the Observatory contributed to:

• 52 scientific publications and communications, including:

  • 24 peer-reviewed journal articles.

  • 1 article published in the prestigious Nature journal (Impact Factor: 40,137).

  • 2 articles in Nature Astronomy (IF: 15,647).

• 7 articles in Astronomy & Astrophysics (IF: 6,24).

• 2 articles in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS) (IF: 5,235).

The Pro-Am collaboration program also achieved notable success, resulting in 11 co-authored publications since its launch in 2022, including 3 in 2024. The illustration accompanying this message highlights a product of this collaboration.

2. PhD Defenses

Congratulations to our three doctoral students who successfully defended their theses in 2024:

• Soubkiou Abderrahman: “Caractérisation d’exoplanètes en transit avec le Satellite d’Étude des Exoplanètes en Transit (TESS)” Cadi Ayyad University, November 2024.

• Ghachoui Mourad: “Contribution à la détection d’exoplanètes en transit autour d’étoilesproches par la mission TESS”, Cadi Ayyad University (Cotuelle with Liège University), October, 2024

• Jamal Chafi: « Apodiseur interférométrique à homothétie, optimisation et réalisation expérimentale – Application à la coronographie », Décembre 20224

3. Recruitment

Two new members joined our team, filling two Assistant Professor positions dedicated to the Observatory:

• Jamila Chouqar

• Mourad Ghachoui

4. Scientific Partnerships

In 2024, we signed four new agreements with the following partners:

• Shanghai Observatory (Chinese Academy of Science).

• Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL) for the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project.

• Astrograph, facilitating the installation of a new dome housing an 80 cm telescope.

• High Atlas Windows to Kosmos, enabling the construction of six new telescope shelters, two of which are already operational.

5. New Installations

Several new instruments and facilities were installed in 2024, including:

• A satellite and space debris tracking telescope (in partnership with Spaceflux).

• The MAO dome, housing a 50 cm telescope (Pro-Am collaboration).

• Two GNSS antennas: one in partnership with ICTP and the other with Shanghai Observatory.

• The reactivation of the RENOIR instrument for Space Weather research, in collaboration with the University of Illinois.

• Three new meteor detection cameras, integrated into the Global Meteor Network (Canada).

6. Scientific Events

2024 saw the successful organization of major scientific events:

• The 5th African Astronomical Society Conference, hosted for the first time outside South Africa.

• The IAUS393 Symposium, held during the General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in Cape Town.

• Co-organization of two focus meetings (FM1 and FM10) during the same General Assembly.

• The 8th International School of Astrophysics (OISA), themed "Variable Stars."

• The 2024 International Conference on Cepheid and RR Lyrae Stars.

7. Educational and Public Outreach Activities

As in previous years, the Oukaimeden Observatory served as a hub for numerous educational activities in 2024. These included organized visits for students and the general public. The annual Marrakech Astronomy Festival, held alongside the CEP2024 conference, explored the theme "Astronomy: Between Science and Pseudoscience."

The Observatory also hosted several interns, from middle school students to Master's level researchers, further strengthening its role in education and outreach.

These accomplishments reflect the Oukaimeden Observatory's unwavering commitment to advancing scientific research, fostering international cooperation, and promoting the development of astronomy in Morocco and beyond.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our partners, collaborators, and supporters for their trust and contributions to these successes. May 2025 bring even greater achievements for everyone!

With our warmest regards,
The Oukaimeden Observatory Team