SA Astronomical Observatory in Sutherland, Upper Karoo, Northern Cape

The Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) is the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere, with a hexagonal mirror array 11 metres across. Although very similar to the Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) in Texas, SALT has a redesigned optical system using more of the mirror array. It will be able to record distant stars, galaxies and quasars a billion times too faint to be seen with the unaided eye - as faint as a candle flame at the distance of the moon.

The construction of SALT has been completed, funded by a consortium of international partners from South Africa, the United States, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. It is now in its commissioning phase.

From Monday to Saturday there are 2 guided day tours per day and 4 night tours per week. A maximum of 20 people are allowed per tour. Booking is essential.

Day Tours: Day tours entail a guided walk through the Visitor Centre as well as a guided tour of selected research telescopes including SALT.

Night Tours: Night tours entail the viewing of interesting objects in the sky through two dedicated visitor telescopes, 16" Meade and 14" Celestron. Note that visitors cannot visit any of the research telescopes at night, not even SALT.