When the universe was very young it was smooth and had a uniform distribution but now it is quite clumpy,

The government was very supportive of this project. Maybe it doesn’t have immediate benefits, like housing or feeding people or giving them jobs. But turning kids onto science is really crucial.

We’ve focused on being able to detect low wavelength light so this machine is able to see things other telescopes can’t.

Indeed the SALT project has become an iconic symbol for what can be achieved in Science and Technology in the new South Africa.

SALT was an initiative of South African astronomers that won support from the South African government, not simply because it was a leap forward in astronomical technology, but because of the host of spin-off benefits...

This is an iconic project for Africa

SALT gives us the ability to look far back in time.

We’ve designed the telescope at a fraction of the normal cost without losing any resolution,