(CNN) -- Under a clear night sky on a rocky arid outcrop, South African
astronomers are waiting for the stars to come out and play.
Sightings
of faraway galaxies, black holes and the Milky Way are just part of the
job for the starwatchers at the South African Astronomical Observatory
(SAAO).
"The site is in an ideal location because there is very
little light pollution so the skies are extremely dark," said Nicola
Loaring, an astronomer at SAAO. "We don't get extreme seasons here, so
it's good conditions for our research all year round."
Based in
Sutherland -- a four-hour drive from Cape Town -- the observatory is
home to one of the largest single optical telescopes in the world and is
symbolic of South Africa's growing commitment to astronomy.
The
appropriately named South African Large Telescope is the jewel of the
observatory, capable of detecting a candle flame as far away as the moon
and light a billion times too faint to be seen by the naked eye,
according to SAAO's astronomers.
Read more: Tech cities and mega dams: Africa's giant infrastructure projects
Loaring
said: "(SALT) is used to study a range of astronomical objects from
asteroids to exoplanets, which are planets orbiting other suns."
The
telescope is funded by a consortium including South Africa, the United
States, Germany, Poland, India, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
In
1996, the South African government, under the leadership of the late
Nelson Mandela, identified astronomy as a key area for investment.
Experiment sheds light on dark matter
In
a white paper, lawmakers recognized that if South Africa failed to
invest in "flagship sciences" then the country would be viewed as a
"second-class" nation "chained forever" to the need for food and
clothing.
Telescope price tag is astronomical
Kevin Govender,
director of the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development, said that
through investment in science and technology, the government can help
tackle some of South Africa's social problems.
Read more: Will 'world's biggest' hydro power project light up Africa?
The search for life in outer space
Last
year, the government, led by President Jacob Zuma, announced it would
invest 200 million rand (around $20 million) in astronomy training over
the next five years.
Govender added: "The target that we have is to spend 1% of GDP on science and technology. We haven't reached that yet."
Check Price Dyson DC07 / DC14 Post HEPA Filter Assembly With Seal
Online DuPont WFIR100X High Capacity Refrigerator Filter
Check Price Cafe In milk frother with stand by MSC Red
How to buy Whirlpool 389140 Drive Block
Check Price Kilambé Coffee, Single Serve Kip Cups for Keurig® Brewers, Specialty Coffee, 10 Count (French Vanilla)
Online Noritz VT3 PVCS 3 Inch Bird Screen for PVC Pipe Termination
Online Fellowes 9324101 4 Pack Carbon Filter for AeraMax 200 Air Purifier
Check Price Edge Pro 220 Grit Medium Water Stone MountedB0050BQXQY, Teavana Classic Single Serving Tea Strainer
Check Price Whirlpool Dryer Lint Screen Filter 348855 / 8557884
Check Price MaxiMatic EKA 9210W Elite Cuisine 4 Slice Toaster Oven Broiler, White
Reviews Whirlpool Part Number 8184608: Grille, Vent
Where to buy Titanium 4 PC Herb Magnetic Grinder Large 2.5 inch
Reviews Black & Decker HVF20 Replacement Filter, Set of 2
Where to buy Jiffy Steamer 0027A check valve cap for water bottle B.
Where to buy 6 Replacement Pads Compatible with H2O H20 Steam Mop X5 Model Only
Online 3 Hoover Type W2 Windtunnel Allergy Vacuum Bags, Bagged, Upright Vacuum Cleaners, W2, 401080W2
How to buy Schumacher 1227 12V Air Purifier Ionizer
Reviews Essick Air #hdc1 2pk Humidifier Filter
Reviews Home Care Industries Inc F51004 Premium Bissell 9/10/12 Hepa Filter
Online Blender Collar W10279518
Check Price Accu Sharp 007 AugerSharp Ice Auger Sharpener
Online Whirlpool WHTR360K Centrifrugal Ceramic Heater
Online ARM & HAMMER Bissell 7 Premium Bag
Check Price Whirlpool Kenmore 4396508, 4396510, 4392857, WF NL240V, WF285, QTSS Compatible Water Filter
Check Price Whirlpool 3374077 Drain Hose for Dish Washer
Where to buy GE WB27X1160 HV Diode for Microwave
Online 3M Filtrete Eureka HF 11 HEPA Vacuum Filter, 1 Pack
Check Price Quilted Air Conditioner Cover, Size LG
How to buy AccuSharp 001 Knife Sharpener 3 PackB0037XJDKK, Maytag Stove / Oven / Range Chrome Burner Knobs 74009148
How to buy Unscented Reed Diffuser Base 5 Ounces
Where to buy Genuine Eureka AR Aero Style Belts 58065
Where to buy 3M Filtrete Bissell 7, 8 & 14 Allergen Vacuum Filter, 1 Pack
Check Price Pentair Predator Filter Tank O Ring 0 343 87300400
Online Comfort Zone CZ6D 6 Inch 2 Speed Desk Fan
Reviews Grizzly H7299 Plastic Bag 9" x 12" x 4mil 100 pc.
Reviews Supco SDE358 Dryer Igniter
Check Price Tin Sign Set of 2 Hulk Spiderman
Online GrillPro 41442 Double Chicken Roaster
Where to buy DIRT DEVIL Upright Belt Style 6 2 Pk
Online Model Power Fairy Swordfish 1/87
Where to buy EZE LAP CSG 5/32 2 Chainsaw Sharpener with Super Accurate Guide, 2 Pack
How to buy LG Electronics 4026EL3001A Dryer Door Latch Hook
How to buy Patton PRH8 UM Ribbon Radiant Heater with Thermostat
Check Price Irobot Roomba Bristle and Beater Brush Combo for the Irobot 500 & 600 Series
Check Price Whirlpool Part Number W10113040A: FILTER
Online Whirlpool Part Number 3355808: SWITCH LID
Where to buy Hunter 28055 18 Inch Downrod, Antique Pewter
Check Price KitchenIQ Carbide Ceramic Pull Thru Knife Sharpener
Reviews Supco SUPCO DE902M DOOR CATCH & STRIKER KIT
Online Fresh Wave Pets 037 6 oz Carpet Shake
Find Silver Fan Pull From Ganz ButterflyB009VIOL7K, Mary Ellen
Products 60131 Best Press Spray Ironing Starch, Peaches N Cream, 33.8
Ounce
Online BELLA 13454 Juice Extractor, White with Stainless Steel
Check Price Watts Dormont 20C S0314 60B Coated Gas Connector Kit, 60 Inch Length
Reviews Mueller/ B&K UT06005 General Purpose Utility Grade Copper Tubing Coil
Online Electrolux EL012 Replacement HEPA Filter for Harmony Canister
Reviews Pingi Dehumidifier Sachel 150 grams rechargeable
Online Arm & Hammer Shark Odor Eliminating Vacuum Filter XSB726N
How to buy Freeze Ak 47 Ak47 Bullets Ice Cube Tray (10 Ak47 Ice Cubes)
How to buy BC Classics BC 40108 6 Cup Espresso Maker, Full, Stainless Steel
Reviews Whirlpool Part Number 2204813: Bin, Door Shelf
Find HAPF96 Holmes Carbon Air Cleaner Replacement Pre Filter (2 Pack)
How to buy Total Chef Yogurt Maker TCYM 07
Where to buy Toaster Oven Baking Pan Set by Miles Kimball
Where to buy Culligan OR 100 for HD 950A Water Filter Replacement O Ring made by PWF
Reviews Kenmore 5023, 5033 BAG DVC Brand (3 bags)
Check Price Roomba Side Brush w/ Screw item #11239
Find Four Piece 1.5" NEW American Grinder Red Four Piece Herb, Spice or Tobacco Pollen Grinder W/chamber Window
Reviews EUK52100B12 Replacement Belt for Sanitaire Commercial Upright Vacuum
Online Water Sentinel WSB 1 Refrigerator Replacement Filter
Check Price Dmt Diafold Diamond Whetstone
Find Whirlpool Part Number W10170080: Bearing (Front)
Find Black & Decker IR0110W Quick ?N Easy Iron, White
Check Price Genuine Kirby Power CordB002Q4U23S, BonJour Frother, Automatic Battery Powered Mini with Protective Sheath, Yellow
How to buy West Bend 82419Y Air Crazy Corn Popper, Yellow
Where to buy GoVacuum 35 Ft Central Vacuum Hose Sock Cover Black
Where to buy KitchenAid Mixer Speed Control Plate 4162402 W10119326
Check Price United Cutlery Carbon Fiber Finish Sharpmaster Knife Sharpener
Check Price Steam Iron with Automatic Retractable Cord Reel and Non Stick Coating
Where to buy Corelle Coordinates Counter Mats, Set of 2, Chutney
Online Household Essentials 900 Polyester Cotton Canvas Iron Caddy Storage Bag, Natural, Blue Trim
Check Price Porcelain Drip Pans for GE Hotpoint Electric Stoves 4 pc. Set Black
Where to buy Whirlpool Part Number 347139: Seal, Lint Chute
Where to buy Mind Reader Flavor Carousel for SodaStream, Black
Find Reliable Replacement Filters for V95 Iron, 2 Pack
Where to buy Frigidaire 240530601 Pan Hanger
Reviews Cremafacile Milk Frother by Biesse
Where to buy Honeywell Replacement Filter for 16060
Online 350 cc Bubble Humidifier Dry
How to buy One Bottle of Genuine Rainbow Violet Fragrance
Check Price Whitney Design Ultra Plus Pad & Cover Natural w/Silicone ironrest pad
Check Price LG Electronics 6931EL3003C Dryer High Limit Thermostat
Where to buy Finelife Handy Blender Handheld Blender
Online LG Electronics 4036EL3001A Dryer Drum Inner Tub Felt Gasket
Online Oster 6847 Metallic Silver 5 Cup 12 Speed Blender
Find Hoover NanoLite Odor Eliminating Vacuum Filter Fits Hoover NanoLite Models
How to buy Continental Electric 12 Inch Electric SkilletB000LEWQDO,
Leviton 6630 W SureSlide 1.5A/300W Dual Quiet Fan Speed Control and
Dimmer, Single Pole, White
Where to buy Aprilaire 560 Series Humidifier Water Distribution Tray
Check Price Honeywell HC26 Humidifier Wick Filter
Check Price Whirlpool W10006384 Belt
Where to buy LDR 500 4151 24 Inch Graphite Packing Cord
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น