Away in the depths of the South African arid Karoo hidden, lies the small town of Sutherland. When we switched to the west the N1 Cape Town – Matjiesfontein Johannesburg highway, the road climbs gradually to 100 km until it reaches the collar and Verlatekloof Rooikloof. Then there is a slight departure for the last 10 km to Sutherland.

The area around Sutherland is mountainous and dry, with typical Karoo shrubs and small coverage of the rugged landscape. Here is the paved road ends quickly after primarily as an artery for the observatory was built outside the city. Accommodation is plentiful. The local people from the city discovers a golden opportunity and started a thriving bed and breakfast business catering to those who look at the various observatories that to reach the main attraction of the region. In winter it can get very cold with temperatures recorded from minus 16 degrees Celsius in the past. NGK church dates from the Anglo Boer War period from 1899 to 1902 is one of the most important monuments of the city and worth a visit. Visitors intending to visit the observatory to get a reservation and take their tickets into the city. Then there is a disc of about 20 km up the mountain to the observatory.

The mountain on which are the telescopes of the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) is relatively flat top and climbs several hundred feet above the surrounding landscape and Sutherland. The view is spectacular from here. In winter, the mountain is often covered with snow by the wind to a temperature below freezing. The tour usually begins in the small museum and visitor center. The principles of the spectrograph are discussed and various articles on astronomy are discussed. The summit of the mountain has more than ten observatories, some of which are open to the public. These great observatories in size from 50cm to 11m, the giant Southern African Large Telescope, better known as salt.

Visits usually with a tour of smaller observatories that even Alan Cousins ??could begin 75cm telescope and the 1.0 m telescope Elizabeth. This telescope is one of five such telescopes in the southern hemisphere, and Lensing Anomalies Network is part of PLANET or a survey. Another interesting telescope is controlled remotely Monet 1.20m telescope.

The end of the tour includes a visit to the attractiveness of the price, namely the SALT telescope, which opened in 2005. It is similar in design Hobby-Eberly Telescope in Texas. Its main component is the primary mirror, which consists of 91 segments or individually adjustable mirrors. This gives him the ability to create a burning candle on the moon and also the largest optical telescope to detect the southern hemisphere. Unlike older types of telescopes, it includes its own control, where astronomers can measure it. Visitors can watch the astronomers go about their work behind a large window that displayed a prominent sign “Please do not feed the astronomers.” They are, however, enjoy a package of peanuts forgotten, so do not take over!