The Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), Africa’s largest optical telescope and one of the most powerful in the world, recently marked 20 years as a cornerstone of astronomical excellence and discovery.
The milestone was commemorated at SALT’s home in Sutherland, Northern Cape, during a celebration jointly hosted by SALT, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), and the South African Astronomical Observatory (NRF-SAAO).
Inaugurated in 2005 by former President Thabo Mbeki, SALT has grown into a flagship facility for South African and global astronomy.
Over two decades, it has delivered groundbreaking discoveries, from observing colliding neutron stars to uncovering distant galaxies, while developing local expertise and strengthening international collaboration.
Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Nomalungelo Gina said SALT was built to serve both science and society.
“SALT’s 20-year journey is a story of vision, perseverance and excellence. We remain committed to ensuring it continues to shine as a beacon of African science, uniting research, education, and innovation for the benefit of humanity,” she said.
She added that SALT is more than a telescope, but a symbol of what is possible when vision, investment and international cooperation come together in pursuit of knowledge and progress.
Affectionately known as Africa’s Giant Eye on the Sky, SALT remains the largest single optical telescope in the Southern Hemisphere, capable of detecting light from celestial objects a billion times too faint to be seen with the naked eye.
SALT Global Ambassador and South African Astronomical Observatory astronomer Professor David Buckley highlighted the observatory’s lasting contributions and future promise.
“What’s next for SALT is continued investment in technologies that will improve its performance, that will allow for new instrumentation to be developed and expand its capabilities,” Buckley said.