ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
The Southern African Large Telescope, otherwise known as SALT is located in Sutherland in the Northern Cape and is the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere, with a hexagonal mirror array 11 metres across. 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!
There are two guided day tours and 4 night tours per week. The tour includes a guided walk through the visitor centre as well as a guided tour of selected research telescopes including SALT.
HOW WE RATE IT & WHY WE LIKE IT
The Northern Cape is perfect for star gazing and learning about our solar system. If you’re curious to know our place in the galaxy then a visit to SALT is a definite for you! Sutherland is a town with about 3000 inhabitants and its remote location make its night skies among the world’s clearest and darkest. It’s also the coldest town in South Africa making it a perfect summer destination (unless you like a bit of snow, in which case Sutherland is good in winter too!).
