The Nelson Mandela Bay Science and Technology Centre brings the Rolling Stones Mobile Museum to Kariega!

An exhibition titled “The Nqweba Meteorite: A Fireball That Captured the Curiosity of a Nation, the Eyes of the World, and a Glimpse into the Solar System” will make its way to the Nelson Mandela Bay Science and Technology Centre on Thursday 25 September. This exciting interactive exhibit will bring science, history and heritage together.
What to expect:
• See and touch real meteorites – rare pieces of rock from outer space!
• A blend of authentic specimens and fun interactive demonstrations that will spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of scientists.
• A learning experience designed for both learners and families. It’s compact, flexible, and exciting for all ages.
Whether you come as part of a group or just walk in on the day, this is a chance to experience the wonder of space right here in Uitenhage! Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore the mysteries of our universe.
Date: Thursday, 25 September 2025
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Science Centre, Uitenhage
Time: 10h00 – 15h00
Please note that space is limited. Schools, groups and individuals are invited to register at the link to secure their space: https://forms.gle/5i1FxMyd3BecLhHPA

 PLUS: A talk by Professor Roger Gibson, Professor of Structural Geology and Metamorphic Petrology in the School of Geosciences at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

On 25 August 2024, videos and photographs surfaced on social media of a bright, rapidly-moving fireball in the sky above the Eastern Cape Province that was followed by loud thunder and ground tremors. Within minutes, a nine-year-old girl reported picking up a rock that she said she saw fall from the sky. What is now known as the Nqweba Event made global news headlines. In this talk, Roger Gibson will describe how a multi-disciplinary team comprising academics from the Nelson Mandela, Rhodes and Witwatersrand universities and the Astronomical Society of SA rapidly assembled to collect information about the event and search for meteorite fragments, and the team’s initial findings that indicate the special origins of the Nqweba meteorite. A specimen of the meteorite will be on display.
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Science Centre (Uitenhage)
Date: Thursday, 25 September 2025
Time: 15h30
Registrations: https://forms.gle/dzHa5chX3tUhom4B8
Supported by Nelson Mandela University, Rhodes University, and The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg