SARAO

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) is a national research facility administered by the National Research Foundation of South Africa. It coordinates and operates major radio astronomy facilities in South Africa and participates in international projects. Its aim is to advance radio astronomy science, technology development, and related training.

SARAO's flagship facility is MeerKAT, a 64-dish radio telescope array located in the Karoo region near Carnarvon, Northern Cape. MeerKAT, a world-class precursor to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), provides high-resolution imaging and time-domain science across a wide frequency range. SARAO also maintains HartRAO, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory near Pretoria, which hosts a 26-metre dish and other instruments for research and outreach.

In addition to operating facilities, SARAO leads and participates in SKA-related activities, including telescope design, instrumentation development, and data processing. It hosts science data facilities and distributes data to the South African and international research communities. The organization collaborates with universities and research institutes across Africa and abroad, supporting training and capacity building.

Governance and funding: SARAO is a division of the NRF, funded by the South African government and international partners. It coordinates national science programs, fosters scientific discovery in radio astronomy, and contributes to technology spin-offs and education.