Media Release

NRF appoints Pontsho Maruping as Managing Director of SARAO

The National Research Foundation (NRF) has appointed Ms Pontsho Maruping as the new Managing Director of the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), with effect from 1 October 2022. Ms […]

MeerKAT measures the “fuel reserves” of galaxies in the past

A global team of astronomers, including many based in South Africa, have measured the fuel for star formation in galaxies as they were 4 billion years ago. The researchers made […]

Equipping graduates in Africa with skills for a new technological era

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) has embarked on a unique partnership with Ireland-based engineering services and innovative solutions provider InnoGlobal, to bring a short course on Digital Transformation […]

Strange neutron star spinning every 76 seconds is discovered in stellar graveyard

An international team of scientists have discovered a strange radio emitting neutron star, which rotates extremely slowly, completing one rotation every 76 seconds. The team, led by members of the […]

Local impact study of HERA telescope shows direct benefits of radio astronomy infrastructure in South Africa’s Northern Cape province

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) has undertaken a local impact study of South Africa’s hosting of the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA). The HERA telescope is an […]

Local impact study of HERA telescope shows direct benefits of radio astronomy infrastructure in South Africa’s Northern Cape province

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) has undertaken a local impact study of South Africa’s hosting of the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA). The HERA telescope is an […]

2022 Africa Data Science Intensive Programme projects find sustainable solutions to real world problems

An exciting project involving a plant disease classifier and detection tool was the winning presentation at the third Africa Data Science Intensive (DSI) Programme which took place from 9 to […]

Megamaser “Nkalakatha” discovered by astronomers using MeerKAT

Using the MeerKAT radio telescope, a team of researchers from the University of the Western Cape, the University of Cape Town, Rhodes University, the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory and […]

Closing the skills gap for young researchers through innovative entrepreneurship training

Young astronomy researchers have the opportunity to learn skills that will allow them to bridge the gap between academia and launching their careers in the workforce. Skilled, Innovative and Entrepreneurial […]

Astronomers reveal best image yet of mysterious ORCs in space

Astronomy’s newest mystery objects, odd radio circles or ORCs, have been pulled into sharp focus by an international team of astronomers using the world’s most capable radio telescopes. First revealed […]