Southern African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO)
Altitude: 1,460 m (4,790 ft)
Nearest town: Sutherland
Distance from town: 14 km
Established in: 1972
Coordinates: 32°22′48″ S 20°48′36″E
Altitude: 1,460 m (4,790 ft)
Nearest town: Sutherland
Distance from town: 14 km
Established in: 1972
Coordinates: 32°22′48″ S 20°48′36″E
Town: Sutherland, South Africa
Population: 2,836
Province: Northern Cape
Founded in: 1858
Altitude: 1,450 m (4,760 ft)
Coordinates: 32°23′37″ S 20°39′41″E
Flying kites, impressions of distant worlds.
The small town of Sutherland, located on a high plain in the African semi-desert about 350 kilometers from Cape Town, is the "base camp" to the close-by Southern African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO). In order to acquaint the town's children and teenagers with science, SAAO offers a monthly event combining kite-flying and stargazing. In the afternoon, the kids' self-built kites climb high up into the air and direct their attention towards the sky. At dusk, the glances turn to the myriads of pinpoints of light in the night sky - two telescopes are being set up, offering impressions of stars and planets, of distant worlds that would otherwise remain concealed.