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IAU GA SAAO Open Nights
August 6 @ 8:00 pm - August 16 @ 10:00 pm
Join us from August 6th to 15th, 2024, for an unforgettable experience at our Open Nights. Each evening will kick off with a captivating presentation on fascinating topics in astronomy or physics. Following the presentation, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the historic McClean telescope, our observatory museum, and the library. Weather permitting, you can also enjoy stargazing through telescopes set up for the night.
Open night tours: Fully guided by our tour guides.
People per tour: 100
Session: 20:00 pm – 22:00 pm
Fee: R50 per person
Children under 6: Free
Shuttle services for GA Attendees.
Our complimentary shuttles can be identified by the SAAO sign on the windscreen/window, each attendee must produce a tour ticket (soft/hard copy) & GA tag to board the shuttle.
Departs CTICC to SAAO: 19:30 pm
Return SAAO to CTICC: 22:30 pm
Tour fees go towards the SAAO’s education, public outreach, and socio-economic development programs. Tour bookings must be paid in advance – no payments will be accepted on-site.
This is a secure site and all other buildings are off-limits to the public.
For queries, please email cptbookings@saao.ac.za or call +27 21 447 0025
Open Night Speakers
August 6, 2024 – Dr. Lisa Crause (SALT Observatory Scientist; NRF|SAAO/SALT)
August 7, 2024 – Prof. Ewine van Dishoeck (Prof. of Molecular Astrophysics; Leiden Observatory)
August 8, 2024 – Prof. Natalia Lewandowska (Assistant Prof. of Physics; State University of New York at Oswego)
(SOLD OUT) August 9, 2024 – Dr. Mark Clampin (NASA Astrophysics Director)
August 10, 2024 – Senkhosi Simelane (MSc Candidate; University of the Witwatersrand)
August 11, 2024 – Dr. Joseph Lazio (Chief Scientist; NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology)
August 13, 2024 – Melissa Solares (Science Teacher; American School of Guatemala)
August 14, 2024 – Dr. Christina Thöne (Affiliated Scientist; Czech Academy of Sciences, Astronomical Institute)
August 15, 2024 – Anna Lena Schiable (Student; Heidelberg University, Germany)
Please read: SAAO Indemnity Agreement for Visitors