South African Astronomical Observatory

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The Rising Star Project is an outreach initiative in which postgraduate students (and any other volunteers) tutor Grade 12 physics/chemistry learners at Thandokhulu High School in Mowbray. The tutoring sessions run once a week, at the school. The project was initiated at the start of......

In a groundbreaking discovery, observations made during a stellar occultation by the 1.9-meter telescope at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) have revealed evolving material orbiting around the enigmatic Centaur (2060) Chiron. This revelation challenges previous interpretations of Chiron’s structure, indicating dynamic changes rather than......

South African Astronomer Dr. Vanessa McBride has achieved a remarkable milestone by being appointed Science Director at the International Science Council (ISC), based in Paris. This prestigious position recognizes her significant contributions to the scientific community, particularly her work with the Office of Astronomy for......

Huge congratulations to SAAO/UCT PhD Student, Munira Hoosain, who was recently awarded the DSI-Ndoni Mcunu Fellowship in the Doctoral Awards category at the Department of Science and Innovation: Women in Science awards. She is currently working with Dr. Rosalind Skelton, Assoc Prof Sarah Blythe and......

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SAAO Cape Town Open Night

April 27 @ 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

The SAAO Open Nights in Cape Town take place on the second and fourth Saturday of every month at 20:00. All Open Nights will start with a presentation on topics of astronomy or physics. Then, visitors will be given an introduction to the historic McClean…

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