telescopes remotely from anywhere in the world through a web interface . Operating on most clear nights , HAO greatly increases the amount of data that can be collected which will support professional research into exoplanets , asteroids , and variable stars . Recently , the International Astronomical Union Minor Planet Center has assigned a new code to this observatory ( Z02 ), following astrometric readings submitted by MAA member Aziz Kaeouach . The submission report included analysis of the detections of 6 main-belt asteroids ( Gaspra 951 of magnitude 14.7 , Piazzia 1000 of magnitude 17 , Wood 1660 of magnitude 16.2 , Giclas 1741 of magnitude 15.3 , Tristan 1966 of magnitude 17.3 , and Uenoiwakura 14981 of magnitude 17 ) and one NEO near-Earth object ( 2011 YQ10 of magnitude 15.2 ). MAA operates two other observatories , the Moroccan Astrophotographers Observatory ( MAO ) in the small city Benslimane near the capital Rabat , which hosts three telescopes , and the joint-venture Al Akhawayn Astronomical Observatory ( AAO ) in the Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane which holds one telescope . MAA members promote astronomy in Morocco through making astrophotography accessible to all , they engage in many astronomy outreach activities throughout the country . Thanks to the pro-am collaboration , they are now touching ground with a more ambitious science project for the detection of new asteroids and exoplanets .
COURTESY OF Aziz Kaeouach
Above and below , amateur astronomers in Morocco recently collaborated with professional astronomers to construct a roll-off roof observatory on the premises of the Oukaïmeden Observatory . The High Atlas Observatory is currently hosting five telescopes .
n n n Hassane Darhmaoui holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Alberta , in Canada . He joined Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane ( AUI ) right after his graduation in 1997 . He is currently a full Professor at the School of Science and Engineering and Coordinator of the AUI Center for Learning Technologies . Darhmaoui has been a member of the International Astronomical Union ( IAU ) since 2009 . He is a founding member and general secretary of the Arab Astronomical Society ( ArAS ) ( since 2016 ). Back in 2011 , Darhmaoui founded the first roll-off roof robotics amateur observatory in Morocco , the Al Akhawayn Astronomical Observatory ( AAO ). AAO serves as a national platform for amateur astrophotographers and astronomy outreach programs in Morocco . Darhmaoui actively participates in a number of local and nationwide astronomy related activities . He is the director of the yearly astronomy festival of Ifrane . He was the Vice-President of the Spacebus Association . The Spacebus toured Morocco for about a month in 2016 , it brought astronomy closer to disadvantaged rural populations . Darhmaoui is currently a member of the IAU National Outreach Committee . He is the national representative of the Galileo Teacher Training Program ( GTTP ) and Universe Awareness ( UNAWE ) program in Morocco . Darhmaoui actively participated in the organization of many astronomy events in Morocco : astrophysics schools , astronomy festivals , astro-caravans , astrobus , conferences , workshops , etc .
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