An Endangered National Heritage Site -- The Cape Observatory

Abstract

The SAAO Cape Town campus was declared a National Heritage Site in December 2018, just short of its 200th anniversary, but is now in a run-down condition. As the former Royal Observatory, it is the oldest scientific institution in South Africa and probably in all Africa. It has a fascinating and well-documented history and surely deserves better. For many years maintenance has been neglected and many of the old telescopes and buildings are in a poor state. They are beginning to show signs of serious decay. Some examples are given.