SALT - Southern African Large Telescope

The Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) is the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere, with a hexagonal mirror array 11 metres across. It is able to record distant stars, galaxies and quasars a billion times too faint to be seen with the unaided eye - as faint as a candle flame at the distance of the moon.

SALT Tours
A maximum of 20 people are allowed per tour (booking is essential and punctuality crucial)

Day Tours
Fully Guided tours (Guided walk through the Visitor Centre and selected research telescopes including SALT)
Monday to Friday: 10:30 and 14:30
Saturday: 11:30 and 14:30

Basic tours (Self-guided tour of Visitor Centre and a basic guided tour of SALT)
Weekends and Public Holidays: 08h00 to 16h00 (every hour on the hour)

Night Tours
Night tours include the viewing of interesting objects in the sky through two dedicated visitor telescopes, 16" Meade and 14" Celestron. Note that visitors cannot visit any of the research telescopes at night, not even SALT.
The tour can last about 90 minutes, but can be aborted due to cloud, mist or strong wind. In the case of bad weather the guide will take you to the Visitor Centre for a movie in case it clears up later. DO NOT DRIVE UP THE ROAD LEADING TO THE DOMES. This is a "NO LIGHTS" research area. International and Local Astronomers are at work! The visitors’ dome is very near the Visitor Centre and not up on the hill.
The tours are on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. When booking tours, visitors will be notified of their tour starting time.