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Picture the scenario ... You're camping in the bush, and a group of you decide to take a walk to find a good spot to enjoy some star-gazing. Eventually you get settled and after a while someone says, "You can't see the stars this clearly in the city". Everyone agrees. This is then followed by "I wish I knew more about the constellations... I think that one's the Southern Cross. Is that Capricorn over there? Can we see Capricorn? Aurora Borealis. I'm pretty sure we can't see that". And so it goes on. We use every little bit of our memory of primary school science to try and maintain a conversation about the great expanse above our heads.
As you walk back to your camp you discuss how when you get back to town you're definitely going to go and learn about the constellations. You're going to go to the planetarium and brush up on your star knowledge. But, at least in my case, I always forget. Things get busy and stars take second place to the things happening on this rock I call home.
Here are a few places around the country where you can get your 'star' on, and learn about the many interesting things happening in space.
Johannesburg Planetarium
Located in Braamfontein, the planetarium is owned by the University of the Witwatersrand, and is run as a joint project with the City of Johannesburg. The planetarium was first opened in 1960 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the city's founding.
Generally hosting around 70 000 visitors per year, the planetarium has opened up space to many young and inquisitive children. Shows are run on Friday at 15h00 and 20h00, and on Saturday there is a special show for children at 10h30 with Thomas the Astronaut taking the young ones on an adventure through space.
Tickets cost R34 for adults and R21 for children, students, and seniors. You can also buy a family ticket for R120 which includes tickets for two adults and their children and grandparents. For more information call (011) 717 1390.
Cape Town Planetarium
Housed in the South African Museum in Cape Town, the planetarium is a celestial theatre which takes you on a journey through our galaxy from the comfort of an armchair. Using a complex Minolta star machine and multiple projectors they are able to recreate the night sky and transport you through the universe. No matter what the weather is like outside, the re-created images in the planetarium are always clear.
The planetarium is an extraordinary audio-visual experience for both young and old. Shows run daily from Monday to Friday at 14h00; Tuesday evenings at 20h00; and Saturday and Sunday shows at 12h00, 13h00 and 14h30. The planetarium is closed on Workers' Day, Christmas Day and the first Monday of every month (excluding school holidays). Costs are R25 for adults and R10 for children, students, and SA pensioners. For more information call (021) 481 3900.
Davy Dragon's Guide to the Night Sky
For the children there is Davy Dragon who teaches the little ones all about the night sky. The show is an informative and fun introduction to astronomy for children under the age of 10. The show will be running from 4 February - 18 March on Saturday and Sunday from 12h00, as well as on 21 March at 12:00.
Visiting SAAO in Sutherland
With its minimal light pollution, Sutherland makes the perfect home for the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere.
Guided tours to selected telescopes and SALT are run Monday to Friday at 10h30 and 14h30, and on Saturdays at 11h30 and 14h30. The tour also includes a visit to the Visitor's Centre built at SALT. It is important to note that bookings for tours to SALT are essential and a maximum of 20 people are allowed per tour.
Night tours are also offered where you can look through two dedicated telescopes, the 16" Meade and 14" Celestron. Unfortunately visitors are not allowed to use any of the research telescopes at night, including SALT, but the visitor's telescopes still let you enjoy the beauty of the night sky. Tours run on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The starting time varies with seasons, so you will need to find out the starting time when you book. The cost for the tour is R50.
For more information call (023) 571 2436 or email suthbookings(at)saao.ac.za
