Sutherland: a natural telescope haven
Nestled on a 1,300 ha farm north-west of Sutherland, South Africa (-32.39°, 20.65°), ZuluAlpha sits beneath the same famously dark skies that attracted the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT).
Climate & Sky Quality
~270 clear nights a year
One of the darkest observatories in the world (Bortle 1 – median SQM ≥ 22.0 mag arcsec⁻²)
Typical winter night temps –5 °C to 5 °C; summer highs 30 °C
Number 4 on the list of darkest astronomical Observatories in the world!
Calculated Johnson V radiance at zenith for all major observatories, as a ratio over an assumed background of 22.0 mag arcsec−2. Only six out of 28 observatories are below the 1 per cent increase of radiance over the assumed natural one (solid black line). Falchi et. al. 2022
The ZuluAlpha Site
Exceptional Sky Quality
Located at 1,570 m (5,150 ft) elevation in the Great Karoo, Sutherland offers some of the darkest skies in the world (zenith night-sky brightness ~22.0 mag/arcsec²), minimal light pollution, and dry air ideal for optical/infrared astronomy.
Reliable Observing Conditions
Around 75 % of nights are usable for astronomy, with ~270 clear nights per year and uniform sky clarity throughout the seasons, enabling flexible year-round scheduling.
Excellent Seeing Stability
Median seeing is ~1.0″–1.5″ FWHM, consistent year-round with minimal seasonal variation; suitable for most optical observations.
Security & Access Control
Remote monitoring and fenced perimeters with 24/7 CCTV.
Legally Protected Astronomy Zone
The site lies within the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Area and the Sutherland Central AAA (75 km radius), protected by South African law to preserve optimal observing conditions from light and radio pollution.
Reliable Power & Backup
99.9 % power availability through a 30 kWp / 120 kWh LiFePO₄ off-grid array supported by an automatic diesel generator backup.
Fast & Redundant Connectivity
Dual-path, low-latency connectivity is provided via Starlink Business and fixed-wireless links, with rapid on-site engineering support ensuring operational continuity.
Flexible Infrastructure
From astrophotography rigs to full observatories, we can accommodate your needs.