SAAO’s headquarters are found in the Cape Town suburb of Observatory on the site of the former Royal Observatory. The historic building is recognised as a National Heritage Site, and houses administration facilities, offices, and the SAAO library.
You are welcome to visit the SAAO in Cape Town on SAAO Open Nights, on the second and fourth Saturday of every month at 20:00. All Open Nights include a presentation on topics of astronomy or physics, and an introduction to the historic McClean telescope, the observatory museum, and the library. If the weather is clear, there will be a chance for stargazing using the McClean and other telescopes set up for the night.
Cape Town Open Nights
List of Events
Open Night: Observations of supermassive black holes
Members of the public are welcome to an Open Night at the SAAO in Cape Town on 11 January 2020, starting at 20h00. Dr. Sarah White (SARAO) will present a talk titled Observations of supermassive black holes. This will be followed by a tour of the site and (weather permitting) star gazing.
Open Night: Do not go gentle into that good night
Members of the public are welcome to an Open Night at the SAAO in Cape Town on 14 March 2020, starting at 20h00. Dr. Iniyan Natarajan (Rhodes University/SARAO) will present a talk titled Do not go gentle into that good night. This will be followed by a tour of the site and (weather permitting) star gazing.