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This telescope can see a candle flame on the moon
SALT - Southern African Large Telescope
© Heather Dugmore
Did you know?
Even quasars can be picked up by the Southern African Large Telescope.
On a hilltop outside the Karoo hamlet of Sutherland, the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) focuses its giant African eye on our universe.
An extraordinary international collaboration, it has put South Africa at the forefront of 21st century scientific exploration with the good ship SALT navigating through spiral galaxies and gamma ray bursts to unknown lands.
Such is the power of SALT's vision that it can look back 13-billion years or see a candle on the moon.
Astrophysicists are currently unable to explain about 96% of the universe – notably dark matter and dark energy - and they believe images and information gathered from SALT may trigger a revolution more dramatic than the leap from Newtonian to quantum physics.
SALT will assist them to look deeper and more clearly into the dark heart of time and tackle unsolved questions about the universe and our place in it. This means giant leaps for not just those who make it to Mars, but for the whole of humankind.
The reason SALT is in Sutherland - a hamlet in the Northern Cape part of the Karoo - is because it is one of a handful of locations in the world that is ideal for stargazing. Its remoteness, high elevation (2 000 metres) the cold and the absence of pollution, delivers clear, cloudless skies.
The Southern African large telescope is managed by the South Africa Astronomical Observatory (SAAO). Sutherland is some 370 km from Cape Town.
SALT can be visited and experienced through two types of guided tours, one during the day and one at night. A day tour will take you through the visitor's centre and to designated research telescopes, including SALT. For an adventure into the sky, you must take the night tour. You will be able to observe our galaxy and all the celestial objects in it, including billions of stars.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
For more information contact Allistar Gibbon at Sutherland Tourism on
Tel. (+27 23) 571 1265
For reservations contact the South African Astronomical Observatory on
Tel. (+27 23) 571-2436
Email: suthbookings@saao.ac.za
For private night sky viewings and accommodation options contact Jurg Wagener on:
Tel: (023) 5711 405
Cell: 082 556 9589
Email: info@sutherlandinfo.co.za
How to get here
The town of Sutherland is a 3.5-hour drive from Cape Town. The Observatory is 15 km outside of Sutherland. From Cape Town turn off is at Matjiesfontein. From here Sutherland is just over 100 km away.
Around the area
In Fraserburg visit the Paleo Surface which has some dinosaur footprints. Williston has fascinating historic gravestones.
Tours to do
There are day tours as well as evening tours. The evening tour gives you the chance to view the sky. The tours are conducted on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. You will be notified about your starting time once you have confirmed your booking. It's essential to book in advance through the Souoth African Astronomical Observatory. Private guesthouse owners - notably Jurg Wagner of Kambrokind Guest Houses - also offer regular night sky viewings with excellent telescopes.
Get around
Self-driving is the best way to tour the towns in the area.
What will it cost
Cost is R20 per person for day visits SALT. For evening tours, cost is R40 per person.
Length of stay
A day - plus travelling time to Sutherland.
What to pack
Pack some warm clothes if you are visiting during winter (May-August) as it does get very cold at this time of the year.
Where to stay
Accommodation is in the town of Sutherland and ranges from B&Bs, guesthouses, guest farms and a hotel.
What to eat
Try the popular Karoo lamb, provided by most restaurants in Sutherland. The area is also one of the few in South Africa offering sheep cheese.
Best buys
There are shops selling astronomy-related souvenirs in Sutherland.