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We recently picked up a copy of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa's (ASSA) 2025 Sky Guide Southern Africa, a handy and wonderfully detailed resource for astrophiles of all persuasions. This handbook includes highlights on the astronomical calendar for 2025, star charts for every season, solar and lunar eclipses, and information on the visibility of planets. It provides technical tips for choosing a telescope, outlines the history of astronomy in South Africa, and details different observatories around the country. There are even sections on astronomy on the internet with a list of useful websites, as well as a fascinating word list of indigenous astronomical terms. In short, whether you're a professional astronomer or a casual sky watcher, you're bound to find something of interest in this volume. You can purchase a copy online here.
Paging through this handbook by the ASSA got us thinking about night tourism, or 'noctourism' as it's sometimes called. Stargazing is a popular activity in this category, which occurs predominantly in places with little to no light pollution. It is for this reason that places like Scandinavia (with its Northern Lights) and the Namibian Desert (with its spectacular night skies) are popular with astronomically curious tourists. But fret not: for those living in or visiting Joburg or other parts of South Africa, there are options, too.
Below, we explore the development of astronomy in South Africa, share where to go stargazing in Joburg and surrounds, and plot a few astronomical happenings to look out for in 2025.
Local history, observatories, and leading research
Astronomy is an age-old natural science that started with ancient civilisations such as the Babylonians, the Greeks, and the Egyptians. Mali and Kenya have some recorded history of astronomical observations such as those by the Dogon people and in Arab texts in Timbuktu, both in Mali, and stone pillars in a formation in Kenya, thought to have served as a lunar calendar.Closely intertwined with religion and philosophy, the world beyond our planet has fascinated humankind for thousands of years. Currently, we all know about the advancements being made by institutes such as NASA, but it is a lesser-known fact that South Africa is also a major player in the astronomy world.
According to ASSA's 2025 Sky Guide Southern Africa, the first permanent astronomical observatory in the southern hemisphere, the Royal Observatory, was established in 1820 in what was then known as the Cape of Good Hope. Located on what is now the site of the South African Astronomical Observatory, it is this landmark that gave the Cape Town suburb of Observatory its name. Several years later, scientists discovered stargazing opportunities on the Highveld, which led to the establishment of a host of other observatories across the country.
By the 1920s, South Africa had gained an international reputation as a choice location for observation thanks to its dark skies and limited radio interference. Institutions such as Yale, Harvard, Leiden, and Michigan universities all established stations in the country, with prominent international astronomers doing groundbreaking work in the country.
In keeping with those early days, South Africa remains at the forefront of astronomy. Key to the country's contribution is the installation of the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) – also referred to as 'Africa's Giant Eye on the Universe'. SALT was built in 2011 at Sutherland in the Northern Cape. It is the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. South Africa is also home to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project in Meerkat National Park in the Karoo, which comprises one of two of the largest radio telescope arrays in the world, and is considered one of the biggest scientific experiments in the 21st century.
Where can I go stargazing in Joburg and surrounds?
CASALINGA
Located on the city's outskirts in Muldersdrift, Casalinga is a popular events venue that is home to several restaurants, accommodation, and most importantly, dark skies and expansive lawns. Hosted by Vic's Telescopes, their stargazing nights feature talks by telescope-maker Vic Cruywagen, as well as the chance to observe celestial wonders such as Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons, star clusters, and many other striking sights through a high-powered telescope. If you time it well, you can also enjoy a meal at Casalinga restaurant or Leafy Greens Café before the viewing, or a sunset walk on the premises. Check out their social media for updates on upcoming events.
HARTEBEESPOORTDAM
An hour's drive from Joburg, Hartebeespoort Dam in Magaliesberg is home to a slew of fun activities such as hiking, canopy tours, balloon safaris, dining, and of course, stargazing. Originally known as Deep Space Station 51, Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) is a radio astronomy research observatory that monitors radiation from deep space to make observations about the universe. On a more local level, it is also used in geodesy programmes to gain more accurate information about our planet. They host monthly tours of the observatory on Saturdays from 16:00 – 20:00. Contact +27 (12) 301 3100 to make a booking.
JOHANNESBURG OBSERVATORY
The Astronomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA) was established in 1922 to bring together professional and amateur astronomers, and it is to them that we owe the 2025 Sky Guide (now in its 80th edition). The ASSA has chapters all over the country, and their Joburg chapter is based at the historic Johannesburg Observatory at 18A Gill Street, Observatory. Here, they host in-person and online talks every second Wednesday of the month that deal with prominent topics in astronomy. The ASSA also have occasional observing sessions and stargazing evenings for the public, and an annual star party in various locations across the country. Head to their website for more info on their events programme, or to download previous talks. You can also contact the observatory directly at +27 11 551 5940 to book a tour of the different facilities, including the laboratories, telescopes, and resource centre.
UNISA OBSERVATORY
Situated on the campus of the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Pretoria, the university's observatory was established in 1992. It houses a 35-cm telescope, a spectroscope, and a CCD camera that are used for academic research and public visits. Viewing evenings can be arranged by contacting +27 11 670 0981. (Turn your visit into an adventure with a trip on the Gautrain and enjoy some of the other sights Pretoria has to offer.)
MAROPENG
Also located in the Muldersdrift area is Maropeng, the official visitor's centre of the Cradle of Humankind. Thanks to their location outside the city, they have ample expanses of dark skies with which to entertain visitors. Their evenings of 'cosmic exploration' include dinner and a tour of Maropeng; check out their social media for updates on these events. (You can also make a weekend of it at one of the Cradle's many weekend getaways, or add a hike to your day with our Cradle hiking guide.)
WITS ANGLO AMERICAN DIGITAL DOME
Refurbished in 2024, the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome on the campus of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) is a popular Joburg attraction. This is a great place to learn about the wonders of the universe if you're an astronomy lover. Suitable for people of all ages, you can find a list of their current shows on their website.
BEYOND JOHANNESBURG – WHERE TO SEE THE STARS IN SOUTH AFRICA
The first prerequisite for stargazing is that an area be dark and free of light pollution, which means the further you are from a city, the more likely your chances of good visibility. There are many such places in South Africa, which means that if you're leaving the city, you're in luck, because chances are you'll find numerous other suitable spots to explore the night sky. Some of our favourites are Pilanesberg, the Kruger National Park, and apart from Sutherland, other Northern Cape gems such as Carnavaron, and large sections of the Tankwa Karoo.
Fun facts from the 2025 Sky Guide Southern Africa
LOCALISING THE NIGHT SKY
One of our favourite sections of ASSA's astronomical handbook (page 119) is a list of common astronomical terms in indigenous South African languages. The Milky Way is referred to variously across cultures: in Xhosa it is denoted by the word 'umnNyele' or 'umThala', which is best translated as "the raised bristles along the back of the sky, as on an angry dog", while the Sotho or Tswana word 'Molalakoko' or 'Molawangodimo' means "the line of heaven". In Zulu, Venus is 'iCelankobe' ("asking for mielies") or, in Xhosa, 'Madingeni' ("the dating star").
A–Z OF ASTRONOMY: GLOSSARY OF COMMON TERMS
The glossary section (page 120) is also helpful for those dipping their toes into astronomical waters. A few that stood out to us:
Asterism: A pattern of stars.
Blue moon: A second full moon in a month.
Eclipse: The total or partial obscuration of light from a celestial body as it passes through the shadow of another body.
Geocentric: Having the Earth as the centre.
Heliocentric: Having the Sun at the centre.
Quasar: The most luminous objects in the Universe, quasars can generate over a trillion times as much light as the Sun from a region a little larger than the solar system. Quasars may be the central regions of certain very energetic galaxies at an early stage of their evolution. It is believed that the power of a quasar derives from a massive black hole at its centre.
Star party: A gathering of astronomy enthusiasts in order to observe the sky (typically from a dark-sky site), discuss various aspects of astronomy, and share in the camaraderie of like-minded individuals.
Zenith: The point in the sky directly overhead.
HOW THE STARS GOT THEIR NAMES
The guide (page 92) tells us how the stars were named: "Star names derive from a variety of past cultures, mostly from Middle East and the Mediterranean. Since medieval times (500 CE to 1,500 CE) they have been jumbled up and passed down to us in Latinised form. The most ancient names have Sumerian and Babylonian roots, which influenced star names used by the ancient Greeks (well established by 800 BCE). Babylonian astronomy influenced the Greeks down to the Hellenistic period, as late as c.100 CE. In turn, the Greeks passed down a portion of their star lore to the Romans. The Bedouin, desert nomads of the Arabic peninsula, were another rich source of ancient star names, providing us with some of the oldest known names, such as Aldebaran, Rigel, and Vega."
Today, around 70% of star names are Arabic in origin, while about 20% are Greek or Latin. The remaining 10% are either rooted in Persian, Hebrew or Turkish. In this section of the handbook, there's also a handy pronunciation guide for the trickier contenders.
Plan your visit – frequently asked questions and helpful tips
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO STARGAZING?Unless you're visiting a planetarium, stargazing has to happen at night, preferably before moonrise or after moonset, or on days when it's a new moon (not visible). This is because the brightness of the moon can hamper your ability to see other celestial bodies. As for the time of the year, the best season to go stargazing is in winter, or from May to August in South Africa. When cold the air is clearer, there are more hours of darkness, and there is less likelihood of rain.
WHAT DO I NEED TO GO STARGAZING?
If you're joining a team with a telescope, there's not much you'll need in the way of equipment when going stargazing. However, it's useful to use red-light torches to protect your night vision, to dress warmly so you don't get chilly at night, and to take a blanket or camping chair with you for super-duper comfort.
IS IT SAFE TO GO STARGAZING?
If you've booked a stargazing event with a venue or company, safety should not be a concern. However, if you're stargazing by yourself, make sure you're in a group and avoid areas that are unsafe at night.
HOW MUCH DOES STARGAZING COST?
The cost of stargazing varies depending on where you go or who you book with. The great news is that stargazing can be absolutely free, as long as you know what you're looking for. Which brings us to our next question...
WHAT IF I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ASTRONOMY?
Don't worry – you don't have to be an astronomy buff to enjoy a night of stargazing! There are several apps available that can help you navigate the night sky. Astronomy podcasts, such as the afro-centric Cosmic Savannah are also great ways to learn more about astronomy. For an almanac of the biggest astronomy events this year, check out the ASSA's 2025 Sky Guide Southern Africa. We give you the highlights of every month below.
Stargazing in South Africa: dates to note
South Africa has many great observatories that are worth a visit, but that doesn't mean you can't get a good glimpse of the sky from your backyard. Here are but a few dates marked out for each month in ASSA's 2025 Sky Guide Southern Africa.MARCH 2025
Sat, Mar 1: Moon near Venus; Callisto at maximum from Jupiter (9')
Fri, Mar 14: Full Moon (08:55) Eclipse
Sun, Mar 23: Saturn without rings
APRIL 2025
Thu, Apr 17: Mercury near Neptune (41' apart)
Fri, Apr 25: Moon near Venus, Saturn, Neptune, and Mercury
Sun, Apr 27: New Moon (21:31); Venus at greatest brilliancy (mag. -48)
MAY 2025
Tue, May 6: eta-Aquariid meteor shower at maximum
Tue, May 20: Last Quarter Moon (13:59) occults δCap
Wed, May 28: Moon near Jupiter; Venus near galaxy NGC 488
JUNE 2025
Sun, Jun 1: Moon near Mars
Tue, Jun 17: Mars near Regulus
Fri, Jun 27: Moon near Mercury and the Beehive; Callisto at maximum from Jupiter (7')
JULY 2025
Wed, Jul 2: First Quarter Moon (21:30); Mercury near star cluster Messier 44 (Beehive)
Sun, Jul 6: Saturn near Neptune (58' apart)
Thu, Jul 31: Moon near Spica; Callisto at maximum from Jupiter (7'); alpha-Capricornid meteor shower at maximum; Southern delta-Aquariid shower at maximum
AUGUST 2025
Sat, Aug 9: Full Moon (09:55) occults δCap
Tue, Aug 12: Moon near Saturn; Venus nearest Jupiter for the year (52' apart)
Sun, Aug 31: First Quarter Moon (08:25) near Antares; Venus near star cluster Messier 44 (Beehive)
SEPTEMBER 2025
Tue, Sep 2: Venus near star cluster Messier 44 (Beehvive)
Sun, Sep 7: Full Moon (20:09) Total lunar eclipse
Wed, Sep 24: Moon near Mars; Vesta within the Blue Horsehead Nebula
OCTOBER 2025
Tue, Oct 7: Full Moon (05:47); Jupiter within star cluster NGC 2420
Tue, Oct 21: New Moon (14:25); Mercury near star cluster NGC 5897; Orionid meteor shower at maximum
Wed, 29 Oct: First Quarter Moon (18:21); Vesta lies within the Dark Horse Nebula
NOVEMBER 2025
Wed, Nov 12: Last Quarter Moon (07:28); Northern Taurid meteor shower at maximum
Tue, Nov 18: Mars nearest Antares for the year
Fri, Nov 21: alpha-Monocerotid meteor shower at maximum
DECEMBER 2025
Fri, Dec 5: Full Moon (01:14; supermoon)
Sun, Dec 14: Geminid meteor shower at maximum
Thu, Dec 18: Moon near Mercury and Antares
For a full astrological calendar and comprehensive guide to surveying the night sky in 2025 from a local perspective, buy your copy of ASSA's Sky Guide Southern Africa here. It's a lovely gift for the budding astronomer in your life.
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