Southern African Large Telescope marks 20 years of astronomical achievements

Friday, November 7, 2025

The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, will deliver the keynote address at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) on Monday, 10 November 2025, in Sutherland, Northern Cape.

For the past two decades, Africa’s Giant Eye on the Sky, situated at the National Research Foundation’s (NRF) South African Astronomical Observatory (NRF-SAAO) in

Sutherland, has been the largest single optical telescope in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the largest in the world. 

This research facility is managed by the NRF, which is part of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI).

Since its inauguration in 2005, the department said SALT has been instrumental in advancing South Africa’s and Africa’s contribution to global astronomy, supporting discoveries such as new exoplanets, the optical afterglow of neutron star mergers, and distant galaxies that mirror the early universe. 

“SALT will enable South Africa to remain internationally competitive in astronomy well into the 21st century and provide a focus for the development of basic space science on the African continent.” 

According to the department, the anniversary celebration will bring together leading astronomers, international research partners, and science leaders to reflect on SALT’s scientific achievements and its impact on building local research capacity and inspiring young scientists. – SAnews.gov.za