A hand-picked collection of useful astronomy organisations, observatories, equipment retailers, observing databases, planning software, astrophotography tools and trusted science news.
Local first
Start here for local societies, professional observatories, southern-sky observing projects and South Africa’s major astronomy facilities.
The main amateur-astronomy society for Southern Africa, with observing sections, publications, events, clubs and practical resources for stargazers.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)South Africa’s national optical and infrared astronomy facility, with science news, public outreach and information about Sutherland and Cape Town facilities.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Explore the major optical telescopes operated by the SAAO at Sutherland, including SALT, Lesedi and the 1.0 m and 1.9 m telescopes.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Follow South African radio astronomy and MeerKAT, the 64-dish radio telescope array in the Northern Cape.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Information from the SKA Observatory on South Africa’s role in the international Square Kilometre Array project.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)A useful overview of astronomy in South Africa, including observatories, clubs, planetaria, star parties, history and career information.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)ASSA’s guide to Jack Bennett’s classic catalogue of southern deep-sky objects, originally compiled to help distinguish comet-like objects during searches.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)A Southern Hemisphere observing challenge featuring the Southern Pleiades, Eta Carinae Nebula, Coalsack, Omega Centauri and the Milky Way.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Buying new
Local retailers that carry astronomy or astrophotography equipment when a suitable second-hand item is not available.
Independent links: these retailers are listed for convenience. AstroClassifieds is not affiliated with them, does not rank them, and is not responsible for purchases or support provided by external stores.
South African retailer carrying telescopes, mounts, astronomy cameras, filters, smart telescopes and astrophotography accessories.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Pretoria-based astronomy retailer offering telescopes, mounts, eyepieces and accessories for observing and astrophotography.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)South African photographic retailer with a telescope range and useful crossover equipment for photographers moving into astronomy.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)South African supplier of astronomy and observatory equipment, including PrimaLuceLab systems and related imaging hardware.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Keep exploring
Reliable places to follow discoveries, observing news, professional astronomy and space-science developments.
NASA science missions, discoveries and explainers covering the Solar System, stars, galaxies, exoplanets and the wider Universe.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Research news and discoveries from the European Southern Observatory and its major observing facilities in Chile.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)A strong mix of astronomy news, practical observing advice, celestial events, equipment and amateur-astronomy features.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Astronomy and space-science news together with observing guides, equipment features and regular sky coverage.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Broader astronomy, spaceflight, observing and astrophotography news for general readers and enthusiasts.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Official NASA mission pages for two of the most important space observatories.
Mission information, science results, images and updates from the James Webb Space Telescope.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Hubble mission information, science highlights, observing resources and decades of iconic astronomical imagery.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Plan and research
From beginner-friendly sky planning to professional astronomical databases and precision ephemerides.
Free open-source planetarium software with a realistic sky view, object search, ocular simulation and telescope-control plugins.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Traditional desktop sky-chart and session-planning software with extensive catalogues, Solar System objects and telescope-control support. Excellent if you prefer chart-based planning.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Location-based predictions for the ISS and visible satellites, together with useful sky and Solar System information.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Interactive worldwide map for comparing artificial sky brightness and finding darker observing or imaging locations.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Astronomy-focused weather forecasts with cloud layers, darkness, Moon information, wind and other conditions useful for session planning.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Variable-star observing resources, campaigns, charts, data and opportunities for amateur observers to contribute useful scientific observations.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)The official international resource for observations, designations and orbital information for asteroids, comets and other minor bodies.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Professional astronomical database for object identification, coordinates, cross-identifications, measurements and scientific references.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Research database for galaxies, quasars and other extragalactic objects, combining identifiers, positions, redshifts, photometry and literature.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)High-precision ephemeris service for planets, moons, asteroids, comets and spacecraft, with flexible observer and time settings.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)A vast library of published astronomical catalogues and tables, searchable by catalogue, position or object.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Capture and process
Useful software and communities for planning, capture, guiding, calibration, stacking, processing and equipment support.
Astrophotography community and image archive with acquisition details, equipment information, discussion and powerful image search.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Advanced, dedicated astronomical image-processing platform with extensive calibration, integration, analysis and post-processing tools.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Free astronomical image-processing software for calibration, registration, stacking and post-processing on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Long-running Windows freeware focused on calibrating, registering and stacking deep-sky astrophotography frames.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Powerful Windows imaging and automation suite for controlling cameras, mounts, focusers, filter wheels, sequencing and plate solving.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Free open-source guiding software designed to keep astrophotography mounts accurately tracking a guide star during long exposures.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Capture and astronomy utility software popular for planetary imaging, EAA, live stacking, polar alignment and camera control.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Official ZWO help, manuals, product support and links to current drivers and software for cameras, mounts, ASIAIR and related equipment.
Visit resource (opens in a new tab)Prefer an AstroClassifieds tool?
Build a ranked observing list, use the interactive sky map, check darkness and Moon conditions, or compare equipment combinations.
External links are provided as useful astronomy resources. AstroClassifieds is not affiliated with these organisations, publishers, software projects or retailers unless explicitly stated. External sites and services can change over time.