10,000+
Reached Tens of thousands of learners
15+
Peer Reviewed Publications
7+
Projects
50+
African countries with active teams
Welcome to the
PACS e-Lab
(Pan-African Citizen Science e-Laboratory)
The PACS e-Lab is a nonprofit, education- and research-focused platform dedicated to advancing astronomy, citizen science, and STEM education across Africa. Its slogan is: “Bringing the Stars to Your Doorsteps.”
Miracle Chibuzor Marcel
Founder & Director of PACS e-Lab
Learn About the Founder
&
Connect on social media
Welcome to the Pan-African Citizen Science e-Laboratory (PACS e-Lab) — Africa’s leading hub for Amateur Astronomy Research, Education, and Outreach.
Across Africa, countless young people, students, educators, and STEM enthusiasts look up at the night sky, wondering about the universe, yet often lack access to the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to explore these big questions. While some African academic institutions offer astronomy and space science courses, these are often heavily focused on theory, leaving students without the practical, hands-on experience that fosters true scientific engagement. This gap can lead to doubt, skepticism, or the sense that astronomy is a distant, unattainable field. PACS e-Lab was created to change that. Our mission is simple yet powerful: bringing the stars to your doorsteps. We are an inclusive, continent-wide platform designed to bridge the gap in astronomy practice across Africa.
Through strong collaborations with NASA, Las Cumbres Observatory, MicroObservatory, Slooh, the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC), and other international partners, PACS e-Lab empowers African students, educators, and STEM enthusiasts to engage directly in cutting-edge space science projects, from asteroid hunting, astrophotography, stellar and exoplanet observations, to communicating with astronauts aboard the International Space Station, and more — all free of charge.
As a result, many of our participants have made significant discoveries, conducted observations using state-of-the-art robotic telescopes, published research papers in peer-reviewed journals, and presented their work at both regional and global scientific conferences. Their achievements have been celebrated in local, regional, and international media, showcasing the talent, passion, and potential of Africa’s growing community of amateur astronomers.
At PACS e-Lab, we believe that science belongs to everyone. We are committed to nurturing curiosity, building scientific skills, and promoting space science awareness across Africa, helping to shape the next generation of African scientists, researchers, and explorers. With a network that spans the continent and connects to the global scientific community, we are proud to play a role in advancing Africa’s future in astronomy and space science.
If you would like to learn more, we invite you to watch our introductory video above, explore the news and project highlights below, and take your time navigating the website. Do not forget to follow us on all our social media platforms for the latest news, discoveries, and opportunities — we post regularly!
~ Project Highlights ~
Important Information
- We have several exciting projects currently under development, including exoplanet and comet detections, asteroid follow-up studies, and variable star observations. Our ultimate goal is to make discovery-oriented projects accessible across Africa.
- We actively reach out to organizations and entities across Africa with access to their local communities for collaboration, and we encourage you to connect with us as well.
- Our citizen scientists regularly attend international meetings and conferences to present their research. PACS e-Lab facilitates their registration and participation, allowing them to showcase the research accomplishments achieved through their collaboration with us.
- While English is our primary mode of communication, we have collaborated with individuals who have reproduced our materials in French, Arabic, and other local languages spoken in Africa. If you are interested in translating or using these materials, we would be happy to connect with you.
- We offer live training sessions; however, in cases where internet connectivity is poor or expensive, or if live sessions are not preferred, we recommend our recorded tutorials. Learning from these tutorials is a flexible and cost-effective option.
- Participating in our programs consumes significantly less internet data subscription than typical social media usage. By engaging with PACS e-Lab, you can spend your time and resources more productively and contribute meaningfully to science.
- All our projects are computer-based, and while we support various systems, Windows OS is preferred for an optimal experience.
- We welcome individuals of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, and religions. There are no restrictions on who can join us.
- We continuously add new projects and encourage you to explore and succeed in the opportunities we provide. Good luck!
OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Our science campaigns across Africa
