South African Astronomical Observatory

The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) is a center for optical and infrared-based astronomy in South Africa . It is a facility of the National Research Foundation.

The SAAO headquarters are located on the outskirts of the observatory in Cape Town . The main telescopes, which are used for research purposes, are located at the SAAO observation station around a 4- hour drive from the city.

history

The SAAO was jointly founded in January 1972 by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa and the Science and Engineering Research Council from Great Britain. It combined the facilities of the “ Royal Observatory ” (1820) and the “ Republic Observatory ” (1903) in Johannesburg and thus formed a large location with improved possibilities.

Instruments

The domed building of the SALT

The 74 inch Radcliffe Telescope

• Southern African Large Telescope (SALT)
• Radcliffe Telescope
• Telescope of the KMTNet
• Elizabeth Telescope
• Alan Cousins ​​Telescope
• SuperWASP
• MONET

Web links

• www.saao.ac.za engl.

Coordinates: 32 ° 22 ′ 46 ″  S , 20 ° 48 ′ 38 ″  E