SAAO

SAAO Prize Scholarship applications open

Welcome to the SAAO!

Founded in 1820 and located in the leafy Southern suburbs of Cape Town, The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) is the national centre for optical and infrared astronomy in South Africa.

Its prime function is to conduct fundamental research in astronomy and astrophysics. It does so by providing a world-class facility to scientists.

The SAAO promotes astronomy and astrophysics in Southern Africa, by sharing research findings and discoveries. So, to learn more about the wonders of space, start exploring our website now.

Sutherland Live!

Current weather conditions and live-feeds from Sutherland.

SAAO-weatherimage

Click here

Events

Open Night

Title: Things that go bump in the night: observing astrophysical transients

Date: 27 July 2019

Speaker: Dr. David Buckley

Open Night

Title: Cosmic Magnetism

Date: 10 August 2019

Speaker: Dr. Patrick W.M. Adams

Open Nights include a talk, a tour of the site and (weather permitting) star gazing. Entrance is free.

Find out more

/* ----------------------------------------- */ /* View: Newsslider - start */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ .wpv_pagination_links { position: absolute; top: 400px; left: 4%; z-index: 9999; } .wpv_pagination_links .wpv_pagination_dots li.wpv_pagination_dots_item a { display: block; width: 10px; height: 0; padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 20px; background: url(http://www.saao.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/other_slide_bullet.png) no-repeat; cursor: pointer; } .wpv_pagination_links .wpv_pagination_dots li.wpv_pagination_dots_item.wpv_page_current a { background-image: url(http://www.saao.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/current_slide_bullet.png); } div.newsslider-canvas { margin-bottom: 40px; } img.newsslider-background { width: 1040px; height: 375px; cursor: pointer; } .newsslider-text { position: absolute; left: 0; top: 75px; height: 275px; width: 580px; padding: 20px 30px 5px 30px; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); cursor: pointer; } .newsslider-text h2 { color: white; font-size: 62px; padding-bottom: 7px; text-transform: lowercase; } .newsslider-text p { color: white; } .wpv_pagination_links .wpv_pagination_dots li.wpv_pagination_dots_item a { background-image: url(https://www.saao.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/other_slide_bullet.png); } .wpv_pagination_links .wpv_pagination_dots li.wpv_pagination_dots_item.wpv_page_current a { background-image: url(https://www.saao.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/current_slide_bullet.png); } /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* View: Newsslider - end */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* View: Event Widget - start */ /* ----------------------------------------- */ .event-info { margin-bottom: 10px; } .event-info p { margin: 0; padding: 0; } .event-info .info-label { color: #a9a9a9; font-weight: bold; } /* ----------------------------------------- */ /* View: Event Widget - end */ /* ----------------------------------------- */

SAAO

Navigation

Welcome to the SAAO!

Sutherland Live!

Events

Schools @ SAAO

SPOD