The search for other galaxies will be one of the topics under discussion at the South African Large Telescope (SALT) Science Conference, which takes place at Stellenbosch University from 1 to 5 June 2015.
Organised by the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), the conference will be opened by the Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor.
The conference will discuss the achievements of SALT since its establishment in 2005, as well as its future. Operated by SAAO, the largest optical telescope in the southern hemisphere is based in Sutherland, in the Karoo.
Scientists at SALT have published numerous papers, including a Nature article on the discovery by South African astronomers of the very first known stars in the flared disk of the Milky Way. SALT makes a significant contribution to human capacity development in astronomy in South Africa.
With the development of major new international projects in the southern hemisphere, like the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope, there is an increasing demand for observations done at SALT to support multiwavelength astronomy.
The five-day conference will see talks and poster presentations on the solar system, stellar evolution, instrumentation and operations, and collateral benefits, among other topics.
Members of the media are invited as follows:
Date: Monday, 1 June 2015
Venue: Stellenbosch University
Time: 9h00
For more media confirmation contact: David Mandaha at 072 126 8910 or Veronica Mohapeloa at 082 882 3818.
Enquiries:
Lunga Ngqengelele
Ministerial Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 566 0446
