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VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//SAAO - ECPv5.2.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:SAAO
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.saao.ac.za
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for SAAO
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Africa/Johannesburg
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
TZNAME:SAST
DTSTART:20260101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20260915T200000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20260915T220000
DTSTAMP:20260914T174405
CREATED:20260831T103950Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260831T103950Z
UID:26055-1789502400-1789509600@www.saao.ac.za
SUMMARY:NRF|SAAO Cape Town Private Night Tour
DESCRIPTION:The NRF|SAAO invites you for a Night tour. \n\n\nOur night tours begin at the Visitor Center\, where guests are introduced to the rich history of Astronomy in our country. The tour includes a visit to our main building\, one of Cape Town’s oldest formal structures\, as well as our Museum. Guests will also have the opportunity to explore the McClean building\, a highlight of the tour. Weather permitting\, the experience culminates with an unforgettable stargazing session using the Observatory’s outreach telescopes. \n\nPlease note that vehicles will only be allowed on site from 19:30 and advanced booking is required. \n\n\n\n\nPlease email cptbookings@saao.ac.za or call +27 21 447 0025 if you have any queries regarding bookings.
URL:https://www.saao.ac.za/event/nrfsaao-cape-town-private-night-tour-8/
LOCATION:Cape Town\, Observatory Rd\, Observatory\, Cape Town\, 7925\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Cape Town Tours
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20260917T200000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20260917T220000
DTSTAMP:20260914T174405
CREATED:20260831T104032Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260831T104032Z
UID:26057-1789675200-1789682400@www.saao.ac.za
SUMMARY:NRF|SAAO Cape Town Private Night Tour
DESCRIPTION:The NRF|SAAO invites you for a Night tour. \n\n\nOur night tours begin at the Visitor Center\, where guests are introduced to the rich history of Astronomy in our country. The tour includes a visit to our main building\, one of Cape Town’s oldest formal structures\, as well as our Museum. Guests will also have the opportunity to explore the McClean building\, a highlight of the tour. Weather permitting\, the experience culminates with an unforgettable stargazing session using the Observatory’s outreach telescopes. \n\nPlease note that vehicles will only be allowed on site from 19:30 and advanced booking is required. \n\n\n\n\nPlease email cptbookings@saao.ac.za or call +27 21 447 0025 if you have any queries regarding bookings.
URL:https://www.saao.ac.za/event/nrfsaao-cape-town-private-night-tour-9/
LOCATION:Cape Town\, Observatory Rd\, Observatory\, Cape Town\, 7925\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Cape Town Tours
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20260919T200000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20260919T220000
DTSTAMP:20260914T174405
CREATED:20260831T104119Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260831T104119Z
UID:26059-1789848000-1789855200@www.saao.ac.za
SUMMARY:NRF|SAAO Cape Town Private Night Tour
DESCRIPTION:The NRF|SAAO invites you for a Night tour. \n\n\nOur night tours begin at the Visitor Center\, where guests are introduced to the rich history of Astronomy in our country. The tour includes a visit to our main building\, one of Cape Town’s oldest formal structures\, as well as our Museum. Guests will also have the opportunity to explore the McClean building\, a highlight of the tour. Weather permitting\, the experience culminates with an unforgettable stargazing session using the Observatory’s outreach telescopes. \n\nPlease note that vehicles will only be allowed on site from 19:30 and advanced booking is required. \n\n\n\n\nPlease email cptbookings@saao.ac.za or call +27 21 447 0025 if you have any queries regarding bookings.
URL:https://www.saao.ac.za/event/nrfsaao-cape-town-private-night-tour-10/
LOCATION:Cape Town\, Observatory Rd\, Observatory\, Cape Town\, 7925\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Cape Town Tours
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20260922T200000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20260922T220000
DTSTAMP:20260914T174405
CREATED:20260831T105616Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260831T105616Z
UID:26063-1790107200-1790114400@www.saao.ac.za
SUMMARY:NRF|SAAO Cape Town Private Night Tour
DESCRIPTION:The NRF|SAAO invites you for a Night tour. \n\n\nOur night tours begin at the Visitor Center\, where guests are introduced to the rich history of Astronomy in our country. The tour includes a visit to our main building\, one of Cape Town’s oldest formal structures\, as well as our Museum. Guests will also have the opportunity to explore the McClean building\, a highlight of the tour. Weather permitting\, the experience culminates with an unforgettable stargazing session using the Observatory’s outreach telescopes. \n\nPlease note that vehicles will only be allowed on site from 19:30 and advanced booking is required. \n\n\n\n\nPlease email cptbookings@saao.ac.za or call +27 21 447 0025 if you have any queries regarding bookings.
URL:https://www.saao.ac.za/event/nrfsaao-cape-town-private-night-tour-12/
LOCATION:Cape Town\, Observatory Rd\, Observatory\, Cape Town\, 7925\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Cape Town Tours
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20260924T130000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20260924T150000
DTSTAMP:20260914T174405
CREATED:20260908T140744Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260908T140744Z
UID:26073-1790254800-1790262000@www.saao.ac.za
SUMMARY:Heritage Day 2026 Celebrational Day Tour
DESCRIPTION:Heritage Day 2026 Celebrational Day Tour\n\n\n\nJoin us this Heritage Day for a unique celebration under South African skies. We’re offering a free guided day tour at the NRF|SAAO in Cape Town. \nExplore the Observatory’s historic main building\, marvel at the Photoheliograph\, discover the iconic McClean Museum and enjoy a tour of the Visitor Centre. Weather  permitting\, guests will also enjoy a sungazing experience \nImportant Information \n\nTickets are free of charge.\nGuests may only enter the site 30 minutes prior to the start of the event (12:30).\nSpaces are limited\, so booking is essential!\nBooking for the day tour does not imply access to the night tour\, which must be booked for separately\n\nCome celebrate our rich scientific and cultural heritage with us\, where history meets the stars. \nPlease read: SAAO Indemnity Agreement for Visitors \n\n\n\n\nFor queries please email: cptbookings@saao.ac.za \n\n 
URL:https://www.saao.ac.za/event/heritage-day-2026-celebrational-day-tour/
LOCATION:Cape Town\, Observatory Rd\, Observatory\, Cape Town\, 7925\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Cape Town Tours
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20260924T200000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20260924T220000
DTSTAMP:20260914T174405
CREATED:20260831T104206Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260831T104335Z
UID:26061-1790280000-1790287200@www.saao.ac.za
SUMMARY:NRF|SAAO Cape Town Private Night Tour
DESCRIPTION:The NRF|SAAO invites you for a Night tour. \n\n\nOur night tours begin at the Visitor Center\, where guests are introduced to the rich history of Astronomy in our country. The tour includes a visit to our main building\, one of Cape Town’s oldest formal structures\, as well as our Museum. Guests will also have the opportunity to explore the McClean building\, a highlight of the tour. Weather permitting\, the experience culminates with an unforgettable stargazing session using the Observatory’s outreach telescopes. \n\nPlease note that vehicles will only be allowed on site from 19:30 and advanced booking is required. \n\n\n\n\nPlease email cptbookings@saao.ac.za or call +27 21 447 0025 if you have any queries regarding bookings.
URL:https://www.saao.ac.za/event/nrfsaao-cape-town-private-night-tour-11/
LOCATION:Cape Town\, Observatory Rd\, Observatory\, Cape Town\, 7925\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Cape Town Tours
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20260926T200000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20260926T220000
DTSTAMP:20260914T174405
CREATED:20260831T103620Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260914T102948Z
UID:26049-1790452800-1790460000@www.saao.ac.za
SUMMARY:NRF|SAAO Cape Town Open Night
DESCRIPTION:Join us for Open Nights at the South African Astronomical Observatory (NRF/SAAO) in Cape Town\, held on the second and fourth Saturday of every month. \nEach evening begins with an engaging presentation on astronomy or a related field of science\, followed by a guided tour of the Observatory’s rich history—including our library\, museum\, and the historic 120-year-old McClean Telescope. \nWeather permitting\, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy stargazing through the Observatory’s outreach telescopes. \n\n\n\nGates open at 7:30 PM.\nFree entry for children aged 6 and under.\n\n\n\nPlease email cptbookings@saao.ac.za or call +27 21 447 0025 if you have any queries regarding bookings. \n\n\n\n\nSpeaker: Malcolm Scarrott \n \nBio: Malcolm is currently a Masters student at the University of Cape Town\, being supervised by Prof. Paul Groot\, Dr. Lisa Crause\, and Prof. Derryck Reid. His project involves building and qualifying the Laser Frequency Comb that has been under development since 2023. He has a passion for Instrumentation and PRV research\, as well as a love for Astronomy in South Africa. \nAbstract:  \n” Commissioning and Qualifying a Titanium Sapphire-Based Laser Frequency Comb for Precision Radial Velocity measurements with SALT’s High Resolution Spectrograph” \nLaser Frequency Combs (LFC) are used to calibrate High Resolutions Spectrographs (HRS) by providing a set of narrow\, equally spaced\, and atomically referenced calibration lines. The SALT LFC project will enable Precision Radial Velocity Science (PRV) to done using SALT’s own HRS\, mainly searching for exo-planets. A number of redesigns and improvements have been made to the LFC in 2026\, extending the coverage of the comb across the HRS Red channel (550 – 890 nm). We have improved the stability of the system\, and are working towards the comb being fully automated. This will allow for full commissioning of the instrument with on-sky RV standard stars\, in preparation for the PLATO mission that will be launching in March 2027. The LFC will be an essential tool for exoplanet science\, and presents an exciting prospect for South Africa to meaningfully contribute to the PRV scientific community. \nIn this talk Malcolm will discuss the theory behind searching for exo-planets\, how LFCs work\, the design of the SALT LFC\, and results from monitoring its performance in both the lab and on-sky. He will also touch on the work that they hope to accomplish in the coming year. \n 
URL:https://www.saao.ac.za/event/nrfsaao-cape-town-open-night-41/
LOCATION:Cape Town\, Observatory Rd\, Observatory\, Cape Town\, 7925\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Cape Town Tours
END:VEVENT
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