The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), which operates as a national research facility under the National Research Foundation (NRF), an entity of the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI), will officially open the PRIME (Prime focus Infrared Microlensing Experiment) telescope at the NRF-SAAO on 31 January 2025 in Sutherland in the Northern Cape.

The PRIME telescope is a cutting-edge 1,8-metre-wide infrared instrument that was built through the collaborative efforts of the SAAO, Osaka University, Japan, the North American Space Administration, the University of Maryland, and the Astrobiology Centre of Japan. PRIME's new infrared capabilities will enhance South Africa’s capacity for exoplanet detection and time-domain astronomy. It also positions South Africa at the forefront of global astronomical research, which aligns with the government's vision of establishing Africa as a leading hub for astronomical science.

Other milestones in astronomy research in South Africa include flagship projects such as MeerKAT, the Square Kilometre Array, and the Southern African Large Telescope.

The media are invited as follows:

Date:               31 January 2025

Time:              12:00 to 14:00

Venue:            South African Astronomical Observatory, Sutherland

Issued by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Mr Pontsho Mantlhakga at 072 346 5219 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..