Science and Technology in South Africa

Science And Technology In South Africa

The first significant work in astronomy in South Africa was performed by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille between 1751 and 1753, culminating in the measurement of the arc of the southern meridian and a catalog of almost 10 000 southern stars, later published as Coelum Australe Stelliferum.

The Royal Observatory was established at the Cape of Good Hope in 1820 and opened in 1829. Today, with the main observing site having moved from the Cape of Good Hope to a higher site near Sutherland, it is host to the Southern African Large Telescope as well as numerous other South African and international telescopes.

Notable astronomers who have worked in the country include John Herschel who published Results of astronomical observations made during the years 1834, 5, 6, 7, 8, at the Cape of Good Hope in 1847 and David Gill whose work include the Cape Photographic Durchmusterung.

The Karoo Array Telescope (or MeerKAT) is under construction as a pathfinder for the $2 billion Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project, which will be split between sites in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Further information: South African Astronomical Observatory, Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory, and Astronomical Society of Southern Africa

Read more about Science And Technology In South Africa:  Energy, Mining, Nuclear Weapons Programme, Government Policy, Important Advances Made in South Africa, Nobel Laureates, Objects Named After South Africans, Research Institutes and Societies, See Also

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