SALT revived in Northern Cape

Acting premier of the Northern Cape Grizelda Cjiekella this month re-launched the South African Large Telescope (SALT) in the province.

“We are committed to once more use this world-renowned project to share our research with the rest of Africa and the world to forge unity in promoting a new awareness of life in the past for the intellectual enrichment and empowerment of all Africans and the people of the world.”

SALT is the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. It is able to record distant stars, galaxies and quasars a billion times too faint to be seen with the unaided eye.

“By providing this kind of high-technology service to the world community, it brings our country into the mainstream of international research.”

Along with the Karoo Array Telescope (KAT-7), Cjiekella says SALT will contribute towards SA's general body of scientific knowledge and assist its bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope.

The SKA is a mega telescope, about 100 times more sensitive than the biggest existing radio telescope. SA is bidding against Australia to host it. The final decision will be announced in February.

“We are aware that SALT is an optical telescope and the KAT-7, which is a radio telescope, provides a unique opportunity together with other telescopes in the Northern Cape, of establishing the province as the astronomy hub in the southern hemisphere.”

The acting premier explains that the unique conditions that make the province ideal for the development of astronomy instruments include its clear night skies and radio quietness.

She adds these conditions present an exciting opportunity for students of multi-wave length astronomy with the technologies employed in both SALT and the KAT-7 telescopes.

“Our country and our province in particular has become the centre of world developments and attraction in science and engineering.”

“This launch becomes important in that it provides all of us with renewed hope that Africa's dream is near and within reach.”

Cjiekella says another plus for SA's bid for the SKA is that everything about its bid is developed within the country and by home-grown engineers in collaboration with international institutions.

“This is groundbreaking if you consider how Africa is perceived outside. So, it is a project that is being built by the people of our country and it will serve both SA and the rest of the international community.

“Through the collateral benefit of SALT and Human Capital Development programme, we as a province have great expectations, namely the development of scientific interests in the Northern Cape, particularly in and around Sutherland, through the involvement of the scientists and project engineers.”

The acting premier says the hope is that SALT will spark the necessary interest among learners and contribute towards excellence in science and better performance among Dinaledi schools, which focus mainly on science and technology.