Dr Riaan Steenkamp

• Name:
• Dr Riaan Steenkamp
• Tertiary Qualifications:
• Ph.D. (Space Physics)
• M.Sc. (Astrophysics)
• B.Sc. (Physics & Mathematics/Applied Mathematics)
• Current Position:
• Senior Lecturer
• Campus Address:
• Room WM21
• Department of Physics
• Faculty of Science
• University of Namibia
• Private Bag 13301
• Windhoek
• Namibia
• Office Phone & Fax:
• +264 61 206 3673 (phone)
• +264 61 206 3791 (fax)
• Email Address:
• rsteenkamp@unam.na (UNAM official)
• riaan.steenkamp@gmail.com (research related linkages)
• Short Biography:
• Riaan Steenkamp was born in Outjo in the Northern part of Namibia in 1967. He received his primary school education at the Suiderhof Primary School, Windhoek during 1974—79 and his secondary school education at Academia High School during 1980—85. He matriculated with distinction. In 1986 he enrolled at the Nortwest University, Potchefstroom, South Africa (then called the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education) where he completed his B.Sc. (1986—88), M.Sc. (1989—90) and Ph.D. (1991—94). He joined the University of Namibia in 1994. He enjoys reading, classical music, Gentoo Linux and IPSC.
• Resume:
• Abrieviated CV (.pdf).
• Recently Taught Courses:
• PHC3101: Physics 1A
• PHC3311: Classical Mechanics A
• PHC3312: Classical Mechanics B
• PHC3422: Applied Physics B
• SEGT3511: Engineering Mechanics I
• SEGT3512: Engineering Mechanics II
• SPHY3611: Classical Mechanics
• SPHY3721: Computational Physics with C++
• SPHY3712: Theoretical Mechanics
• Research & Publications:
• Refereed Publications:
• Van der Walt, D.J. and Steenkamp, R. 1991, “The Inverse Compton scattering of cosmic-ray electrons in the Galaxy”, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 251, 142–147
• Steenkamp, R. and Moraal, H. 1993, “Acceleration and Modulation of Anomalous Helium and Oxygen in 1977 and 1987”, Proceedings of the 23rd International Cosmic-Ray Conference (Calgary), 3, 419–422
• Steenkamp, R. and Moraal, H. 1993, “Time-Dependent Hysteresis Effects in the Modulation Revisited”, Proceedings of the 23rd International Cosmic-Ray Conference (Calgary), 3, 539–542
• Steenkamp, R. and Moraal, H. 1995, “A Numerical Model for the Study of the Anomalous Component of Cosmic Rays”, Proceedings of the 24th International Cosmic-Ray Conference (Rome), 4, 735–738
• Steenberg, C.D., Steenkamp, R. and Moraal, H. 1995, “Phase-Lag Effects in the Cosmic-Ray Modulation”, Proceedings of the 24th International Cosmic-Ray Conference (Rome), 4, 702–705
• Pauls, H.L., Zank, G.P., Moraal, H., and Steenkamp, R. 1997, “Cosmic Ray Modulation in the Heliosphere Calculated from a Self-Consistent Diffusion Tensor”, Proceedings of the 25th International Cosmic-Ray Conference (Durban), 1, 233–236
• Steenkamp, R 2001, HESS – An Array of Gamma Ray Telescopes in Namibia, African Skies/Cieux Africains (ISSN: 1027-8389), 5, 6–9
• Unrefereed Publications:
• Steenkamp, R. 2001, “H.E.S.S. – An array of stereoscopic imaging atmospheric Chererenkov telescopes currently under construction in Namibia”, Fundamental & Applied Aspects of Modern Physics, ed. S.H. Connell & R. Tegen, ISBN: 981-02-4589-0
• Teaching publications:
• Vibrations and Waves, textbook replacement used for PHY3333 until 2002.
• Classical Mechanics A & B, textbook replacement used for PHC3311 & PHC3312 until 2008.
• Mathematics Primer, used as part of the PHC3311 & PHC3312 until 2008.
• Astrophysics, notes for PHC3422 used until 2009.
• Selected Refereed Collaboration Publications:
• F. Aharonian, et al. [inc. R. Steenkamp] 2004, “High energy particle acceleration in the shell of a supernova remnant”, Nature432, 75-77
• F. Aharonian et al. [inc. R. Steenkamp] 2005, “A new population of very high energy gamma-ray sources in the Milky Way”, Science307, 1938-1942
• F. Aharonian et al. [inc. R. Steenkamp] 2005, “Discovery of very high energy gamma rays associated with an X-ray binary”, Science309, 746-749
• F. Aharonian et al. [inc. R. Steenkamp] 2006, Discovery of very-high-energy gamma-rays from the Galactic Centre ridge”, Nature439, 695-698
• F. Aharonian et al. [inc. R. Steenkamp] 2006, A low level of extragalactic background light as revealed by gamma-rays from blazars”, Nature440,1018-1021
• F. Aharonian et al. [inc. R. Steenkamp] 2006, “Fast variability of Tera-Electron Volt gamma-rays from the radio galaxy M87”, Science314, 1424 – 1427
• Follow this link for a full list of collaboration publications.
• Recent Professional Activities:
• UNAM H.E.S.S. Group Leader
• External moderator for
• Polytechnic of Namibia (Engineering Mechanics modules)
• Northwest University, South Africa (final year Physics modules)
• Keynote speaker: opening Atronomy Exhibition at the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre