In Sutherland, a little "dorpie" in the middle of a dry region, where the best lamb is produced by the way, is located the South African astonomical observatory. On a hill, there are 11 telescopes analysing light coming from various stars and from our sun. The observatory was relocated there in 1970s. It is a technological highlight inherited from the previous system, that managed to keep its hedge under the new political system.
All the telescopes are reflectors, collecting starlight with mirrors. Each mirror weighs around 100 kg. The size of the South African Large Telescope is 11 m, making it one of the largest in the world. It is also funded and utilised by researchers from countries such as Germany, India, Poland and the USA. On the picture, we see that one mirror is missing, probably to be polished.
What surprised me the most is the extremly low number of people employed on the site. Everything is done via computers. For example, one telescope automatically follows the sun throughout the day and it even shuts down when clouds pass by. All the data are sent to Japan. Our local guide, who comes from the coloured community, confirmed that very few people are employed as a direct result of the telescopes. Most of his classmates had to leave the community and find a job in Cape Town. It is also striking that this little town still has two very separated areas: one white and the other coloured. In the white area, there are quite a few B&Bs to cater for tourists wanting to visit the telescopes or wanting to see the snow. Sutherland is actually the coldest town in the country with -16 degrees. But I made sure to get there in summer!
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