Europeans help South Africa in space research
Scientific institutions in the European Community are helping the development of space research in Africa by supporting the construction of the largest telescope in the southern hemisphere. Work on the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) project began earlier this month at the South African Astronomical Observatory site near Sutherland in the Northern Cape. When it is completed in 2003, the telescope will have an 11 metre hexagonal mirror array capable of detecting distant light sources much too feint to be seen with the naked eye - or equivalent to a single candle flame on the surface of the moon. The total cost of the project is estimated at 200 million Rand. Roughly a quarter of the project costs have been provided by the South African government with the rest donated by foreign partners including universities and scientific institutes in Germany and the UK. South Africa is confident that the project will help the country's economic development by attracting scientists and tourists from around the world. But it is also hoped that it will inspire new generations of scientists both at home and in neighbouring states. 'Such a telescope will provide a focus for the development of basic sciences on the African continent,' said Mr Ben Ngubane, South African minister of arts, culture, science and technology.