Sutherland, South Africa Clear Sky Chart

Sutherland, South Africa (-32.38°, 20.66°) · Updated 07:11 SAST
53
Mixed
high confidence ⓘ
high · Forecast lead time

Based on how far ahead tonight is, forecasts are most reliable within 24–48 hours.

Confidence reflects how trustworthy the forecast is, it doesn't change the score.

Worth a short session
BEST 20:00–22:00 (2h)
Mostly cloudy. Mars, Jupiter, Saturn well placed tonight.
Sunset
19:01
Sunrise
05:40
Usable Hours
3/9
Moon
71%
Visible Planets
☿ Mercury10° W
♂ Mars22° NE
♃ Jupiter20° NE
♄ Saturn56° N
⛢ Uranus37° N
♆ Neptune58° N
Sky darkness
Very dark (Bortle 1-3)
SQM 21.5, estimated from satellite night lights. A property of the place, separate from tonight’s score. How we estimate this
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Hour-by-hour scores · Planet rise/set & visibility · ISS & satellite passes · Moon detail · Full score breakdown · Aurora & observer profiles

Stargazing in Sutherland, South Africa

Sutherland, a small town in South Africa's Karoo at 1,450m, hosts the South African Astronomical Observatory and the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. The site was chosen for its exceptional darkness, dry air, and stable seeing — Bortle 1–2 conditions with hundreds of clear nights a year. At 32.4°S, the southern sky is beautifully placed, and the high-desert Karoo air gives outstanding transparency. The town offers public stargazing tours, making it one of Africa's most accessible world-class dark-sky destinations.

Sutherland, South Africa Stargazing FAQ

What is special about Sutherland's skies?∨
Sutherland hosts SALT, the largest optical telescope in the southern hemisphere, chosen for its Bortle 1-2 darkness, dry Karoo air, and stable seeing at 1,450m. The site enjoys hundreds of clear nights a year.
Can you visit Sutherland for stargazing?∨
Yes — the town offers public stargazing tours and daytime observatory visits, making it one of Africa's most accessible world-class dark-sky destinations. The combination of professional facilities and pristine skies is rare.
When is the best time to stargaze in Sutherland?∨
The dry Karoo climate gives clear nights much of the year. Winter brings the high galactic core but very cold nights at altitude. The transparency is excellent across all seasons.

Stargazing guides

Is Tonight Good for Stargazing?

The answer depends on five things you can check right now.

Light Pollution & the Bortle Scale

How dark is your sky: and what difference does it make?

What Planets Are Visible Tonight?

Real visibility data for all 7 naked-eye and telescope planets, calculated for your location.

Meteor Shower Calendar 2026

Every shower this year: peak dates, expected rates, moon interference, and the two you absolutely cannot miss.

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