Vanessa McBride

Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) celebrates 20 years of observing the sky. https://www.salt.ac.za/

November 10, 2025

South Africa’s flagship telescope at 20: an eye on the sky and on the community

Vanessa McBride, International Science Council; University of Cape Town

This year, on 10 November, it is World Science Day for Peace and Development. SALT has had considerable social benefits for the community in Sutherland.

Some of the dishes that make up the Square Kilometre Array’s radio telescope system. This kind of “blue skies” research can have great real-world value. MUJAHID SAFODIEN/AFP via Getty Images

May 26, 2021

COVID‑19 budget pressures threaten curiosity‑driven science. That’s a bad thing

Vanessa McBride, International Astronomical Union's Office of Astronomy for Development

The pandemic has underscored that the world requires agility for survival. That makes blue skies science, which encourages curiosity and nimble thinking, perhaps more important than ever.

School children at the site of the KAT-7 radio telescope in Carnarvon, South Africa. Kevin Govender

July 12, 2018

A big moment for Africa: why the MeerKAT – and astronomy – matter

Vanessa McBride, International Astronomical Union's Office of Astronomy for Development

Astronomy is accessible to anyone with a view of the sky.

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South Africa’s flagship telescope at 20: an eye on the sky and on the community

COVID‑19 budget pressures threaten curiosity‑driven science. That’s a bad thing

A big moment for Africa: why the MeerKAT – and astronomy – matter

Contact Vanessa for