Sutherland, South Africa, is home to the Souther Africa Largest Telescope, the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT). The telescope is situated at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), the national center for ground-based optical astronomy in the Southern Hemisphere. SALT's primary mirror is 11m in diameter, making it one of the world's largest single-aperture telescopes. With it, astronomers can view incredibly distant objects and study the properties of various galaxies. SALT also has a secondary mirror that allows researchers to examine mostly ultraviolet light from those distant objects. This technology helps researchers study the properties of stars, such as age, composition and temperature. Visiting SALT and the SAAO is a unique experience, as visitors get an up-close look at cutting-edge scientific equipment. Guided tours are given by knowledgeable staff and visitors are encouraged to ask questions!
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