@SAAO

The Official Account of the NRF | South African Astronomical Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa. Our observing station is in Sutherland, NC South Africa.

 Cape Town, South Africa
saao.ac.za
Joined June 2009
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NRF|SAAO@SAAO1h
Explore the wonderful world of Pulsars with Abigail Thambiran! NRF|SAAO, Cape Town 31 Oct | 20:00–22:00 | Gates 19:30 Booking essential: saao.ac.za/visit-capetown/ Guided tour + weather-dependent stargazing. McClean Telescope closed for maintenance. #NRFSAAO #OpenNight
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Astronomy has the power to spark curiosity and open new possibilities. Yet for many, a career in the field remains out of reach. NRF-@SAAO, together with other stakeholders, visited the University of Venda and the University of Limpopo. Read more: nrf.ac.za/developing-astrono…
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How does starlight become data? 🇿🇦🔭 Join engineer Kathryn Rosie at the NRF|SAAO Open Night in Cape Town to find out! 24 Oct | 20:00–22:00 Gates 19:30 To book: saao.ac.za/visit-capetown/ Talk + guided tour + weather-dependent stargazing. McClean Telescope closed for maintenance.
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A rare opportunity to be in the presence and work with the IAU President , Prof Willy Benz. We took him to Zisukhanyo High School in Samora Machel. He gave an inspirational and motivational talk. What a memorable and magical moment . A blast from the past!
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Unbelievable but true, 432 teachers joined our online teacher professional development session yesterday... what an exciting session! thanks to all teachers who joined. Thanks to WCED for constantly inviting us and for their organization and communication.
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Congratulations Doc! You are a STAR!!!!
Dr quantumfluctuations🇵🇸 ceasefire now@M_of_starlightOct 8
your local twitter astrophysicist now has A PHD!!!!! Alhamdulillah!
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🌌 Explore the Universe beyond visible light with UCT’s Leyya Stockenstroom! 📍 NRF|SAAO | 10 Oct | 20:00–22:00 Gates 19:30 Booking essential: saao.ac.za/visit-capetown/ McClean Telescope unavailable due to maintenance. Outreach stargazing is weather dependent.
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3/3 Olympiad Test Gr 8: 1st Joshua Koopman | 2nd Chantel Baafi | 3rd Onako Owan Peteni Gr 9: 1st Liselihle Jama | 2nd Siyolise Ketelo | 3rd Anele Mahlalela Gr 10: 1st Siwaphiwe Baleni | 2nd Luniko Tyalimpi | 3rd Hamadi Bukenya
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🌙 What’s Up – October 2026 🔭 🪐 Saturn at opposition: 4 Oct—visible for most of the night and an excellent target throughout the month. 🌑 New Moon: 10 Oct 🌠 Orionids peak: 21 Oct 🌕 Full Moon: 26 Oct Full guide: saao.ac.za/2026/10/01/whats-…
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SAAO and SARAO ( supported by SAASTA, Osizweni and Mpumalanga Dept of Education) facilitated engaging and effective teacher workshops for 229 teachers in various towns of Mpumalanga. Astronomy rocks
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Understanding and appreciating astronomical distances and sizes can be challenging ! One of our successful attempts at addressing the misconception held by science teachers based on astronomical sizes !
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Caught in the act! Check the MD of SAAO engaging some of the participants in our Job Shadow Programme. This is a 2 day programme held at SAAO every June and September school holiday intended to inform and expose learners to the life and work of astronomers and fields!
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1/2 🔭 Explore the night sky with NRF|SAAO this October at our Night Tours and Open Nights! Night Tours take place on 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 27 & 29 October from 20:00–22:00. Advance booking is essential. Stargazing is weather dependent.
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2/2 Our October Open Nights are on 10, 24 & 31 October — with an extra Open Night added this month!😉 Please note: the McClean Telescope remains under maintenance and is not available to the public. 🌐 saao.ac.za/visit-capetown/ #NRFSAAO #Astronomy #CapeTown
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1/2 South African Astronomy Olympiad Camp 2026 | Day 4 Day 4 of the South African Astronomy Olympiad Camp 2026 combined assessment, educator development and an unforgettable journey into the heart of South African astronomy. #AstroOlympiad2026
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1/2 South African Astronomy Olympiad Camp 2026 | Day 3 The learners took centre stage for the Science Fair, presenting topics that captured their interest across astronomy, science and beyond. Each presentation was a glimpse into a different area of curiosity.
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1/2 South African Astronomy Olympiad Camp 2026 | Day 3 The learners took centre stage for the Science Fair, presenting topics that captured their interest across astronomy, science and beyond. Each presentation was a glimpse into a different area of curiosity. #AstroOlympiad2026
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2/2 From exploring astronomical concepts to sharing ideas driven by personal interests, learners prove the value of creating spaces where young people can share their ideas and engage with science. To close off the day, we visited Signal Hill to watch the sun set over Cape Town.
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1/2 South African Astronomy Olympiad Camp 2026 | Day 2 – Exploring the Observatory The day concluded with a guided site tour of the NRF|SAAO, giving learners and educators an opportunity to explore the history, facilities and scientific heritage of the Observatory.
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2/2 The tour featured the McClean Telescope, a historic telescope that is more than 120 years old and the oldest telescope on site. The group also visited the Astronomy Museum, SAAO Library, Remote Operations Centre, and the Observatory’s newest facility, the Visitors Centre.
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