South African Astronomical Observatory

The South African Astronomical Observatory sits in a high-altitude location in northern South Africa where the night sky remains dark and clear. The facility houses several telescopes of different sizes and operates as a research center for studying space and celestial objects.

The institution was established in the early 1800s at the Cape and later moved to a new location with better observing conditions. In the 1970s, two separate astronomical facilities merged to create the organization that operates today.

The facility supports science projects that engage young people with astronomy and physics through hands-on learning. Visitors can see how knowledge about the stars and universe connects to everyday science education in South Africa.

The location sits in a sparsely populated region with minimal light pollution, which favors observations throughout the year. Visitors should prepare for rural conditions and longer travel times from the nearest town.

The facility houses one of the largest optical telescopes in the Southern Hemisphere with an 11-meter mirror system. This instrument allows researchers to study very distant objects in space with remarkable clarity.

Location: City of Cape Town

Inception: 1820

Elevation above the sea: 15 m

Part of: SuperWASP

Website: https://saao.ac.za

GPS coordinates: -33.93436,18.47739

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:52