Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Area (KCAAA)
Home to the MeerKAT and the future SKA-Mid telescope — a protected radio-quiet zone in the Northern Cape safeguarding one of the most sensitive radio-astronomy sites on Earth.
Protecting South Africa’s astronomy geographic advantage
The Astronomy Management Authority administers the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act (Act No. 21 of 2007). The AGA Act gives the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation the power to protect areas — through regulations — that are of strategic national importance for astronomy and related scientific endeavours.
Areas are declared as Astronomy Advantage Areas (AAAs) only after extensive public participation with all interested and affected parties. Once declared, detailed regulations set out what activities are and aren’t permitted — safeguarding sites like SKA / MeerKAT in the Karoo and SALT in Sutherland from radio-frequency interference and light pollution.
South Africa’s two Astronomy Advantage Areas
Cumulative applications under the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act (Act No. 21 of 2007)
KCAAA
Karoo Central Astronomy Advantage Area · Number of applications received
SCAAA
Sutherland Central Astronomy Advantage Area · Number of applications received
Focus areas of the Astronomy Management Authority
Radio Astronomy
A radio telescope detects emissions from across the cosmos — from interstellar molecules and hydrogen clouds forming stars to giant black-hole plumes.
Optical Astronomy
Sutherland hosts SALT and a growing constellation of international optical facilities benefiting from South Africa’s clear, dark skies.
SKA Observatory
The SKA Observatory (SKAO) was established as an intergovernmental treaty organisation in February 2021 — construction is underway to add 133 dishes to the current 64-dish MeerKAT.
Protecting the Advantage
The AMA safeguards astronomy advantage areas from radio-frequency interference and light pollution to preserve their strategic scientific value.
Submit your application on the AGA Act online system
Register once and use the online portal to submit and track applications for activities within a declared Astronomy Advantage Area (AAA). Download and complete the relevant application form before you submit.